KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is not someone prone to making public statements, especially the kind that could be construed as political, controversial or divisive.So when he showed up to a news conference after a victory at Carolina last Sunday, and there was a tiny silver safety pin on his shirt, a subtle act intended to promote tolerance stood out.Its funny, Smith said Wednesday, I didnt even think it got noticed at the time.Wearing safety pins has become commonplace following the presidential election as people in all walks of life, many of whom are concerned about Donald Trumps proposed policies, have made public their desire for a more inclusive and diverse society.Ill tell you what it wasnt: It wasnt anything political. Nothing to do with the presidential election. For me, just everything to do with tolerance, understanding, Smith explained before heading out to practice.Something I found out about at my kids school where they were teaching about diversity and tolerance, and I dont know why. Just felt like it was pertinent at the time.Some athletes have expressed their dissatisfaction with Trumps election, including Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans, who sat during the national anthem before last weeks game against Chicago.The Chiefs play the Buccaneers this Sunday.That wasnt Smiths intent, though. The safety pin was meant to draw attention to the divisiveness in the country.The election may have been part of it, but so has racial discrimination that led to the Black Lives Matter movement, and perceived attacks on sexual orientation and gender equality that have been linked to North Carolinas controversial House Bill 2.Theres a lot going on right now. Things are crazy. I think theres a lack of understanding across the spectrum between people of different beliefs, Smith said. It had nothing to do with the presidential election or the outcome and everything to do with tolerance and diversity.The Chiefs have supported their players freedom to speak on social issues.In the season opener, cornerback Marcus Peters raised a gloved fist during the national anthem in a black power salute that was reminiscent of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.Peters said the act was meant to increase awareness of racial inequality, and that he stood in solidarity with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has been kneeling for the anthem this season.Thats what is so great about America, right? Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. The NFL does a great job of letting people express themselves not only on the field as players, but also as people.Were just a microcosm of what this country is, Reid added. Its all healthy. Thats what makes this country the greatest place in the world to live.Smith said he didnt mean to draw attention away from the win over the Panthers, nor did he want to create a stir in the locker room.But he did say the locker room can be representative of the kind of tolerance people should embrace, pointing out that the 53 guys on the Chiefs roster come from different states with different social and economic backgrounds and varying religious beliefs.Growing up, playing team sports, theres guys in this locker room that think a vast variety of ways, Smith said. That comes back to respect and understanding, and theres a lot of respect and understanding in this locker room.Smith didnt say whether he would continue to wear a pin this season, but he did underscore that he didnt want the small act intended to promote unity to become disruptive.Like I said, its about understanding of all humans. I dont care what you believe, where you stand -- Muslim, Jewish, Christian, you name it, Smith said.I do know its been tied here or there, but thats certainly not why I wore it. It originated from my kids school and theyre trying to teach about diversity. I wasnt trying to be a distraction.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLNike Vapormax Plus Wholesale . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. Cheap Vapormax Womens . LOUIS -- St. http://www.cheapvapormaxtrainers.com/ . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cheap Nike VaporMax Moc 2 . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Nike Vapormax Outlet . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Exeter Chiefs rose to fourth place in the Aviva Premiership with a highly impressive 21-3 victory over Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium.Rob Baxters side were up at the break after a penalty try and further scores from winger James Short and scrum-half Will Chudley put them in control.It was no less than Exeter deserved for a dominant first-half display in which Sale barely ventured into their visitors 22.However, the Chiefs failed to clinch a fourth try and subsequent bonus point during a scoreless second half, while Sale slipped to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.Sharks hooker Rob Webber made his first Premiership start since he broke his arm on the opening day of the season.Captain Josh Beaumont went to lock and Cameron Neild replaced him in the back row, while Johnny Leota and Tom Arscott came into the backline.Exeter forward Don Armand featured for the first time since September as one of six changes made by Baxter, whose side struck first when they punished Sales ill discipline in the eighth minute.Aided by back-to-back penalties, the visitors created the field position to set up driving maul from a line-out on the right flank.Referee Wayne Barnes awarded Exeter a penalty try and sent Beaumont to the sin-bin for his part in the infringements. Gareth Steenson converted to make it 7-0 but Sale soon replied when fly-half AJ MacGinty booted a penaltyy to get his team off the mark.ddddddddddddExeter continued to probe, however, and they fashioned a promising move in the 15th minute inside the left channel.The ball went through several pairs of hands and found its way to openside flanker Kai Horstmann, whose intended pass for Sam Hill was intercepted by a Sale defender.The Chiefs largely dominated territory and scored again on the back of another penalty in the 20th minute when a quick pass from Chudley sent Short over in the left corner.Steensons second conversion made it 14-3 and underlined Exeters dominance before a third try duly arrived in the 35th minute.Short found Hill with a deft pass inside the left channel and the centre then showed intelligence to send the supporting Chudley scampering clear.Steensons conversion made it 21-3 at the break and Sales cause was dealt a further blow in the 50th minute when Ben Curry was forced off with an injury.The match became a scrappy affair as chances grew scarce but rugby league convert Josh Charnley went close in the left corner with 16 minutes remaining before being hauled into touch.Sales second-half display saw a marked improvement from the first and Exeter replacement Michele Campagnaro was sin-binned during a late home rally. 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