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We live in a divided nation. Ua Speedform Phenom Black . Sometimes it feels more like two separate Americas, somehow living side-by-side with different ideals, beliefs and hopes for the future. This may never have been more apparent than during the 2016 presidential election.For as long as I can remember, sports have always been a sanctuary to me -- a rare place in our complicated society where people from all walks of life can come together to cheer on one team. Sure, that may sound hokey, but its also beautiful and perhaps even necessary. Ive made friends and talked to people I never otherwise would have solely because of a shared athletic allegiance.Thanks to the genius of Bill Belichick and the talent of Tom Brady, the New England Patriots -- and their impressive four Super Bowl titles since 2002 -- have helped provide one such space. From sitting in the freezing cold at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, watching a hard-fought victory, to commiserating after a Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants at a dive bar in Boston, the Patriots have created a community for fans where the team is first and politics and other differences fall by the wayside.But now Im conflicted, and I feel as if my sports utopia has been tarnished. Like many Americans, I voted for Hillary Clinton to be our next president, and like most of those voters, Im disappointed and angered with the outcome of Tuesdays election. I dont need to explain why I supported Clinton over Donald Trump. You either agree with me or you dont, but I feel passionately about my decision.Im not alone in New England. Whether you love it or hate it, this part of the country has been a liberal stronghold for decades.On Monday, during one of his final campaign rallies, Trump excitedly announced to a crowd in Manchester, New Hampshire, that Brady and Belichick had offered their support to him. Trump went on to say that both men had given their permission for him to reveal this news to the public.Donald, I support you, youre my friend and I voted for you, Trump said Brady told him over the phone earlier in the day. He then went on to read a letter written by Belichick in which the coach lauded him for his competitive spirit.Youve proved to be the ultimate competitor and fighter, Trump said, reading the letter. Hopefully tomorrows election results will give the opportunity to make America great again.While Brady has since hedged his support and now claims his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, has asked him to no longer speak about politics, Belichick admitted he wrote the letter but said it was not politically motivated?and instead cited his longtime friendship with Trump as the basis for his endorsement.After briefly addressing Trump during their Wednesday morning news conferences, both Brady and Belichick used their remaining time to try to steer the conversation back to football. Belichick began answering more campaign questions with Seattle, in reference to the teams opponent on Sunday.While Im usually entertained by the Patriot Way and Belichicks terse answers to reporters, Im just not satisfied with this. Trump explicitly stated that both men gave him the OK to share their endorsements with the crowd in New Hampshire. While neither Brady nor Belichick outwardly denied that statement, they certainly didnt publicly endorse him either. But they cant have it both ways. They should be held accountable for their statements and, at the very least, should have to address questions about the topic.As an American first (and a Patriots fan somewhere else down the line), Im horrified with the results of this election. And Im pretty confident I wont be feeling much better by this weekend either. Im genuinely not sure if I can actively cheer for these two men, who clearly hold such different values than I do.I will be the first to admit that my stance is somewhat hypocritical. Im always thrilled when athletes use their voices to champion causes they -- and perhaps more importantly in this case, I?-- believe in. I was proud of LeBron James for supporting Clinton in the swing state of Ohio, and Ive been happy to see Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and others attempt to raise awareness about the treatment of black people and police brutality.But my thinking is so far removed from Belichick and Brady -- who will be representing a New England they clearly dont epitomize politically when the Patriots play the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football -- that this for me is different. Justified or not.I know, I know. This is America and Brady and Belichick have every right to support -- publicly or privately -- whomever they want. But, just as they have that right, I have the same choice in whether or not I want to support them in a football game. And this Sunday night, I really dont think I can. Phenom Proto Training Shoes . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Ua Scorpio Chrome . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. http://www.stephencurryshoe.com/under-ar...orm-gemini.html .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Felix Hernandez wasnt nearly as sharp as he has been recently and got off to a sluggish start in the first two innings against the Athletics.It hardly mattered on a day when the Mariners backed their ace with another 14 runs of support, something they did in Hernandezs previous outing.Hernandez overcame his slow start and pitched six scoreless innings to continue his dominance at the Oakland Coliseum and Seattle Mariners beat the As 14-3 on Saturday.The first three innings I was a little wild and the ball was moving all over the place, sinking and cutting, Hernandez said. After that I just started to pound the strike zone. The offense picked me up. Its good for us.Seattle remained 3 1/2 games behind the second wild card spot.Hernandez (11-5) gave up four hits and a walk in the first two innings then settled in for his second consecutive win. Seattles six-time All-Star walked one and struck out two for his seventh win since coming off the disabled list.King Felix also showed hes king of the Coliseum.Hernandez improved to 12-3 there, tying Tommy John for the most wins by an opposing pitcher at the 50-year-old stadium.Just trying to calm down, not be too quick to the plate and I made good pitches, Hernandez said.Nelson Cruz had three hits and three RBI, Nori Aoki also had three hits and drove in two runs, and Kyle Seager hit his 28th home run to help the Mariners to their seventh win in eight games against the As this season.Seattle batted around twice and had seven players with two hits or more.The offense really carried us today but it does take pitching to shut them down, Mariners manager Scott Servais said. Felix gave us a chance to put the runs up there.The As, conversely, continued to struggle at their ballpark. With 41 losses at the Coliseum, Oakland is guaranteed of consecutive losing seasons at home for the first time since 1997-98.Ryon Healy had three hits including a two-run home ruun for the As. Under Armour Shoe Clearance Sale. Cruz doubled and scored on Kyle Seagers single in the first. Cruz doubled again in the third and drove in two runs when the Mariners batted around to go up 6-0.Aoki, who went into the day batting .337 in 22 career games against the As, made it 8-0 with a two-run double in the sixth to chase Kendall Graveman (10-10).Seager hit his second home run in three days off reliever J.B. Wendelken leading off the seventh.Graveman allowed eight runs and a career-high 12 hits over five-plus innings with three walks and one strikeout.It was just one of those games where he was a little bit off and didnt have command of his fastball like he normally does, As manager Bob Melvin said.AOKI WARMING UPAoki had his best game since coming off the disabled list, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, three runs scored and a walk. Getting their leadoff hitter comfortable will be key for the Mariners as they head down the stretch. He comes back with a vengeance, Servais said. Really good at-bats, hes driving the ball.TRAINERS ROOMMariners: Right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen pitched one inning and allowed Healys home run after being activated from the disabled list before the game. Wilhelmsen had been out since Aug. 26 with back spasms.Athletics: Sean Manaea (back strain) is scheduled to start Wednesday in Kansas City after throwing 50 pitches in an extended bullpen session without setback. Manaea hasnt pitched in a game since Aug. 29.UP NEXTMariners: LHP James Paxton (4-6) pitches the series finale in his fourth start since coming off the disabled list. Paxton has won both of his career starts against Oakland.Athletics: RHP Raul Alcantara (0-1) makes his second career start for the As. Alcantara tied a major league record with three hit batters in the first inning against the Angels on Sept. 5. China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys From China China Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping China Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale ' ' ' « -makers have become used to - newpitch for the second half » ![]()
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