WASHINGTON -- Tommie Smith and John Carlos were proud to raise their gloved fists in a symbolic protest at the Olympics, and now theyre proud that Colin Kaepernick and other athletes are staging national anthem protests to raise awareness about racial inequality and police brutality. Aaron Ekblad Jersey .The American sprinters who were sent home from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics for what they called a human rights salute say the San Francisco 49ers quarterback and others are right to use their platform in an attempt to affect social change 48 years later.Dont hate the kid because he stood up for something to change, said Smith, who won the gold medal and set a world record in the 200 meters in 1968. He stood up for the right to exercise Amendment 1.Speaking Wednesday at the Team USA Awards, the first U.S. Olympic Committee event theyve been invited to since their protest, Smith says hes backing Kaepernick because his protest is proactive and Carlos says theres no better platform than sports to stand up for something, even if it brings criticism.Protest is a good thing because youre trying to expose certain things through protest, said Carlos, who won the bronze in the 200. Then, when you sit back and say, `Well, I dont know whether its the right place to make statement here or there. In any protest, I think you make a statement to try and reach the far ends of the earth. What better way to do it than if youre in a sport.Several athletes have followed Kaepernick, who sat for the anthem, then modified his protest to kneel during it. Some have raised their fists like Smith and Carlos.Most recently, Nebraska football players Michael Rose-Ivey, Mohamed Barry and DaiShon Neal kneeled during the anthem before a game at Northwestern, drawing criticism from university officials.It is a sacrifice to deal with anything other than status quo, Smith said. As we know very well.While Smith said its important for athletes to study and understand why theyre protesting and what they want to come out of it, Carlos said backlash is part of the process.Any individual that makes a public statement or a public scene is saying we have issues that we need to deal with and we can no longer stick them under the rug or stick them behind the bus or what have you, Carlos said. By bringing attention to society, for them to be able to determine themselves why it was necessary that we take this thing called racism, violence and prejudice and bury it once and for all.It has taken almost half a century for the USOC to welcome Smith and Carlos back into the fold after being on the outside for breaking the rules. Carlos called their return a rebirth and both men hope they can be ambassadors and a positive influence on young people who werent born when they protested at the Olympics.We never denounced what we stood for, Carlos said. We stood for humanity. At the same time they loved the fact that we had courage. Thats what you need in athletics. For them to come and lower the drawbridge so to speak and welcome us across with open arms, its a beautiful situation. I dont think it gets any better. Vincent Trocheck Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Florida Panthers Jersey . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. http://www.hockeypanthersofficialonline.com/customized/ . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1.Nico Rosberg says settling for second place will not enter his mind when he attempts to overcome Lewis Hamiltons pole position and extend his winning run in Sundays Spanish GP. Despite the championship leader appearing to have the edge over his Mercedes team-mate at Barcelona, Hamilton turned the tables at the end of qualifying and claimed pole by three tenths of a secondRosberg goes in to the race 43 points ahead of the Briton in the standings and could afford to finish second to Hamilton in the next six grands prix and still retain the lead of the championship. However, amid a run of seven consecutive wins stretching back to last November, Rosberg insists his sole focus is on beating Hamilton on Sunday afternoon. Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo give their thoughts on qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. Im not really thinking about coming second, I want to be first, he said.And in coming first its a big battle which is on a knifes edge against Lewis. Theres not much comfortable about that, its a great challenge.I want to win and Ill take chances to win the race. Thats what Ive come here for.Hamilton hits back at criticsPole position at the Circuit de Catalunya has historicallly proved one of the most valuable of the whole season, with only six winners of the race in its 25-year history coming from lower than first on the grid. Alex Petrovic Panthers Jersey. Despite claiming two poles before Saturday, Hamilton has yet to finish an opening lap higher than fifth this season and Rosberg has suggested his team-mate might not approach the first corner with the highest amount of confidence. Lewis Hamilton takes pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, edging team mate Nico Rosberg into second. Its not going to be easy because on this track its notoriously difficult to get past, but there are some opportunities, the German driver said.The start. For sure, Lewis wont be at the highest confidence going into the start with the way the first five [races] have gone, so theres maybe a small opportunity there. And, if not, after that tyre wise, its going to be a challenge.Watch the Spanish GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV. Also See: Hamilton hits back at critics When is the Spanish GP on Sky? Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys' ' '