Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret and Seattle Seahawks long snapper, penned an open letter to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Tuesday evening, defending his right to protest racial inequality in the United States by sitting during the national anthem.Later, in an interview with SportsCenter, Boyer said that after he listened to Kaepernicks reasoning for his protest, not only does he every right to do that, but I respect him. It was incredibly brave what he did.In the letter, which is posted at armytimes.com, Boyer says he initially felt anger toward Kaepernick but writes that hes come to a much greater understanding and appreciation of what Kaepernick is attempting to do.Im not judging you for standing up for what you believe in. Its your inalienable right. What you are doing takes a lot of courage, and Id be lying if I said I knew what it was like to walk around in your shoes. Ive never had to deal with prejudice because of the color of my skin, and for me to say I can relate to what youve gone through is as ignorant as someone whos never been in a combat zone telling me they understand what its like to go to war.Even though my initial reaction to your protest was one of anger, Im trying to listen to what youre saying and why youre doing it. When I told my mom about this article, she cautioned me that the last thing our country needed right now was more hate. As usual, shes right.Boyer expounded on his initial reaction in the SportsCenter interview, saying after his initial response of anger, I stopped myself, took a breath and I tried to listen and understand.There are so many different perspectives, and not just talking about from the African-American society, but from the veteran society and just from America in general. And thats what makes us great.Were all different, have different viewpoints. We come from different places. That initial anger -- Im not going to say hate; I didnt have hate -- but those knee-jerk reactions that are happening in our country right now ... its not helping anything. Its not solving any problems because its not a conversation, its just a yelling match.Boyer, who grew up in El Cerrito, California, just 16 miles from San Francisco, grew up a fan of the 49ers and writes that he used to dress as Joe Montana for Halloween. Also contained in the letter is a picture of a football Kaepernick signed and inscribed God bless our troops for a charity function Boyer held. The ball, he notes, went to the highest bidder, Boyers father.There are already plenty people fighting fire with fire, and its just not helping anyone or anything, Boyer wrote, finishing the letter with the Green Berets motto.So Im just going to keep listening, with an open mind. I look forward to the day youre inspired to once again stand during our national anthem. Ill be standing right there next to you. Keep on trying ... De Oppresso Liber.And Boyer wasnt the only current or former military member to offer support to Kaepernick. Late Tuesday night, the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick was the No. 1 trending topic in the United States.In the interview with SportsCenter, Boyer said there are a lot of people from the veterans community that are supporting his decision.Whether they agree with it or not, they are supporting his right. Thats kind of where I sit. Ive got his back. I hope that he is inspired to stand for the anthem again. That would mean the world to me.49ers coach Chip Kelly said Tuesday that Kaepernick will play in Thursdays preseason finale against the?San Diego Chargers, who will be holding their annual?salute to the military at that game.Dean Lowry Jersey . The third-ranked Ivanovic, who won the event in 2008 and 10, served five aces and broke Wickmayer, also a former winner in 2009, five times. "The result looked easier than it really was," Ivanovic said. 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Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery.PHOENIX -- Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb will enter the final week of the pre-All Star break season with a chance to share history with some of the franchises biggest names.San Diego first baseman Wil Myers will look to continue his breakout season when the teams meet in the first game of a three-game series at Chase Field on MondayArizona right-hander Archie Bradley (3-4) will oppose Padres right-hander Luis Perdomo (2-3), each looking to cool off hot hitters and potential All-Star on the other side.With his fourth homer in five games Sunday, Lamb has 19 homers and 19 doubles in his 80 games. He is attempting to become the fourth player in franchise history to have 20 of each at the All-Star break. Paul Goldschmidt has done it twice, while Matt Williams and Jay Bell did it in 1999, when Arizona made the playoffs in the second season in franchise history.Lamb has been used in the cleanup spot behind Goldschmidt most of the last month, and he believes that has something to do with his numbers.Guys have to attack him, and that is always going to make you a better hitter when you get more fastballs, Lamb said.Lamb was the Southern League MVP in 2014 when he had 35 doubles, 14 homers and 79 RBI at Double-A Mobile. He led the league with a .318 batting average and was given a September recall that year.His two-run homer Sunday in the eighth inning tied the game at 4, although Arizona lost 5-4 in 11 innings. It was Lambs 11th homer that either tied the game or gave his team the lead. He was tied at 10 with Atlantas Freddie Freeman entering the game.Myers, 1-for-3 with a walk Sunday, is slashing .286/.353/.536 witth 18 doubles, 19 homers and 57 RBI.dddddddddddd He leads the Padres in homers, RBI, runs scored (55), hits (87) and walks (33). He trails only the Cubs Anthony Rizzo and Milwaukees Chris Carter (20 apiece) for homers among NL first basemen, and his 57 RBI trail only Rizzo (60) at the position.Myers 3.3 WAR is the highest among major league first basemen, ahead of Rizzo (2.9) and Goldschmidt (2.8), according to Fangraphs.The Padres (35-47) are the only division team that the D-backs have beaten in a home series this season. Arizona took two of three the first time the teams met May 27-29, but its only other home series victory is against Miami. The D-backs are a major league-low 14-30 at home.Padres third baseman Yangervis Solarte had five hits, including two homers and two doubles, in the previous series at Chase Field. He also homered Sunday, in a 6-3 loss to the Yankees, preventing the Padres from a sweep.Bradley, 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA in his last four starts, is coming off a no-decision despite a quality start against Philadelphia on Wednesday. He went a career-high 7 1/3 innings while striking out nine in his only previous career start against the Padrees on May 29. Bradley will pitch on normal rest while taking the place of right-hander Zack Greinke, who was placed on the disabled list with a stained left oblique muscle Sunday.Perdomo, an injury replacement in the starting rotation, has given up 27 earned runs in his last 29 innings, covering four starts and two relief appearances.Cheap JerseysChina NFL Jerses placed on the disabled list with a sall Jerseys ' ' '