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Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey grew up in Kentucky in the 1960s, a child during the civil rights movement who witnessed the efforts of those in power to disenfranchise people of color and slow their push for equality.So every two years, when election time arrives in the United States, Casey drives home to his players the importance of participating in the voting process.I tell my players `Get your absentee ballots and vote, Casey said. I remember my grandparents talking about when African-Americans couldnt vote. Or they tried to make it hard for them to vote.So that is a privilege a lot of people fought for, you went to jail for. Everyone should vote.Casey has been particularly insistent since he started coaching the NBAs only Canadian team. The Raptors employ a bunch of American players far removed from their local polling place, and Casey encourages them to think ahead so the grind of the NBA season doesnt cost them their say in the election.Thats your way of showing power as an individual, Casey said. We can protest, but the only way you fight stuff like that is through voting. Using your right to vote.Many athletes have to rely on absentee ballots, either because they reside permanently in a different state from their team or because they are on the road during Election Day.Several teams have taken steps to help. The NFLs Minnesota Vikings roll out a voter-education program every two years to ensure players, coaches and staff members understand voting practices in Minnesota.Its a right and everybody needs to exercise their rights, said Lester Bagley, Vikings executive vice president of legal affairs and stadium development. Make it as easy as possible, answer the questions, get them the resources, connect them. Its every two years and its a direct message to all staff, all players to participate and heres how to do it.The Vikings also joined with the Minnesota Secretary of States office in a public service announcement to encourage fans to vote Tuesday, a local campaign similar to the national two put out by the NBA Players Association featuring LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and other NBA stars.James has endorsed Hillary Clinton and appeared at a rally for her this week. But the PSA featuring James only encouraged people to exercise their right to vote and didnt advocate for a candidate.Thats the same approach the Vikings take. Executive Director of Player Development Les Pico began the voter education program when he arrived with the franchise in 2005. This year, the team emailed players three times to encourage them to register, placed forms in their lockers reminding them to get an absentee ballot and offered help in assisting them to register in their home states.Retired NBA star Baron Davis wrote a piece for The Players Tribune reminding athletes to vote. He said it can be easy for athletes to skip the practice, believing their votes will not influence the outcome of an election enough to take time away from their hectic schedules.At this time in our country, its easy to feel like things havent been working for us, Davis wrote. But the solution is not to just say, I wont do anything about it. The solution is to take what we know about improving -- whether it be in sports, or in your life -- and apply it to our problems. Jimmy Wynn Jersey . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Jimmy Wynn Astros Jersey . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. http://www.baseballastrosproshop.com/josh-reddick-astros-jersey/ . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. Alex Bregman Astros 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. Craig Biggio Astros Jersey . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears placed star right guard Kyle Long on injured reserve because of an ankle injury on Tuesday.The announcement comes two days after the three-time Pro Bowl lineman was taken from the field on a cart during a loss at Tampa Bay. Its another big blow for a team hit hard by injuries all year and staggering at 2-7 after an embarrassing blowout loss by the Buccaneers.The Bears visit the New York Giants this week.Long was injured in the second quarter when Paul Lasike rolled up on his right ankle as he corralled a shovel pass from Jay Cutler. Long stayed down for several minutes while being tended to by medical personnel. He banged on the cart trying to fire up his team as he was taken from the field.Its been a rough season for Long, who signed a four-year extension through 2021 in September. He has also been dealing with a left shoulder injury since the preseason.Drafted with the 20th overall pick in 2013, Long has made 55 starts in four sseasons.dddddddddddd He is one of seven Bears to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first three professional seasons along with Brian Urlacher, Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Rick Casares and Harlon Hill.The Bears also signed defensive lineman CJ Wilson and offensive lineman Cornelius Edison, activated receiver Marquess Wilson from the physically unable to perform list and placed defensive lineman Will Sutton on IR because of an ankle injury.CJ Wilson won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and has 111 tackles with in seven seasons with the Packers, Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions.Edison was waived by the Bears last week.Marquess Wilson suffered a foot injury in training camp. Sutton has 60 tackles and seven pass breakups in three seasons in three seasons for Chicago.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '