I was taught growing up that you always do what you believe.

It is paramount that we take control of the story behind our movement, which is that we seek equality for all Americans, no matter their race or gender.

It has always been my understanding that the brave men and women who fought and died for our country did so to ensure that we could live in a fair and free society, which includes the right to speak out in protest.

You'd like to think we're past certain things, the way we treat people. I thought we were at a time where you love your neighbor as yourself. But as I've studied history - it hasn't repeated itself necessarily, but it's dressed a little different and is acting the same.

In football, I've always been about adapting to what's asked of me, to what my team-mates need from me. I'm a team player.

I expect myself to do my job, and that's taking care of the football and converting third downs.

In the summer of 2007, two-time Olympic champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and his teammate, Erislandy Lara, had been arrested in Brazil after going AWOL from the Cuban team during the Pan Am Games. The defection attempt made international news and quickly became a national soap opera, regularly appearing on Cuban news and round table discussions.

In women's football, you can't plan to go out and win everything in one season. It's not like that.