BEREA, Ohio -- The photo of Martin Luther King Jr. put things in perspective for Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins.Change can happen.Hawkins and four other NFL players to meet with Congressional leaders in Washington to discuss ways of bridging the divide between police and minority communities. During the visit Tuesday, Hawkins, a longtime activist, was struck by an iconic image of King, the revered civil rights leader, hanging on a wall inside the Eisenhower Executive Building next to the White House.And it was the meeting that kind of prompted blacks being able to vote, which was a big deal, Hawkins said Wednesday. So to see that and just walking in those historic hallways and realizing all the history youve learned about, and youre literally in the same space as them, its a surreal moment.Hawkins was part of a delegation of players headed by Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin. They visited Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers about what can be done to improve relations between law enforcement and African-Americans. The problem has plagued the nation for decades, inflamed by shtings in recent months that triggered protests and violence.The group also included Browns quarterback Josh McCown, Lions safety Glover Quin and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, all selected by Boldin, who has been personally touched by the tragic death of a cousin killed by an off-duty police officer in Florida.During their one-day visit, the players met with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) and members of the congressional black caucus.The players and politicians shared stories and ideas in hopes of working toward a solution.These issues are tough, McCown said. Its easy when things happen for everybody to run to one side or the other. We just feel if we can stand in the middle and help move things along, help bridge gaps as best we can, thats us doing our part.Boldin, the NFLs Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2015 for his community service, organized the trip to raise awareness, stimulate communication and promote healing. It was planned long before the recent presidential election, but with racial tensions running high in its aftermath, Boldin believes the timing could be vital for positive change.Wherever you go, people are talking about it (racial issues), Boldin said. Now its time for action. What do we do next? Whats the next step? And that was my reason for going to Capitol Hill and to the White House. How can I help? If I can help, if I can lend my voice, if I can lend my platform, how can I help?We had a great dialogue. Im feeling optimistic, but its definitely just the first step for me. This is not something that, oh, we went to Washington and tk photos.McCown was the only white player to participate. The 37-year-old was teammates with Boldin in Arizona and the two are close friends. McCown has worked with Boldin on other projects and said when he was asked to be a part of his effort, it was a no-brainer for me.Both McCown and Hawkins stressed communication and compassion as being at the crux of making things better.Theres hurt, and then theres fear that follows, and anger, and people run to sides, McCown said. And you just want to understand everything as best as you can and then step in; and you want to be able to stand with both sides and say we want to understand and realize that these are tough times, but that were here for you. We want to empathize with those that are hurting, that are losing loved ones, but at the same time support law enforcement and their efforts to help better their relationships with communities.Hawkins, who felt headway was made during the meetings, has used his voice as a professional athlete to fight injustice before.Before a game in 2014, he wore a black T-shirt onto the field over his No. 16 Browns jersey to protest the killing of Tamir Rice. The 12-year-old boy was shot by Cleveland police who believed the toy gun he was carrying was real. There also was the fatal shting of John Crawford, a 22-year-old killed while holding a toy BB gun rifle inside a department store.Hawkins credits that passion to his grandfather, Burrell Haselrig Sr., who spoke at two Republican National Conventions and inspired him.To leave things better for your children than what you have, and thats the responsibility I have as a father, he said. I feel like a lot of that was instilled in me, to be able to grow up seeing that let me know that it doesnt matter where Im from or how minuscule people think I am to the equation, that I have the power to make a difference even a little bit or encourage somebody else who might have more of a power to make a difference.---AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Allen Park, Michigan, contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Greg Olsen Panthers Jersey . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Ryan Kalil Youth Jersey . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. http://www.thepanthersofficialstore.com/customized/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. re-panthers-jersey/" target="_blank">DJ Mre Youth Jersey . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Will Grier Womens Jersey . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan had clearly been itching for the start of the regular season. Like so many other veterans, he had to grind his way through exhibition games in training camp, gradually moving from 11 points in his first preseason game, to 15, to 20 and finally to 34 in the final warm-up game last week.His patience was rewarded Wednesday night as the Olympic gold medalist had 40 points in the Toronto Raptors 109-91 season-opening victory over the Detroit Pistons, his third career 40-point outing and just two off his career high.Preseason (stunk), he said. But youve got to do it and now the real deal is here and youre just trying to catch a rhythm.DeRozan made a career-high 17 field goals on 27 shots and was a perfect 6 for 6 from the free throw line, while Jonas Valanciunas was 10 for 15 from the field to go along with 11 rebounds. Valanciunas previous career high was 31, also against the Pistons, on Jan. 12, 2015.According to Elias Sports Bureau, the duo became the first teammates in NBA history with a 40-point game and a 30-point game in a season opener. DeRozan also broke Vince Carters opening-night franchise record of 39 points, set against the-then New Jersey Nets in 2003.I never keep track, DeRozan said of his record-breaking exploits. Somebody always informs me after the game.Valanciunas also played down his accomplishment, despite registering his second career 30-point game, as the Raptors led from the 5:13 mark of the first quarter and never lked back.Eighty-one games to go, he said. We should not get t excited; this is just the start.Tobias Harris had 22 points and Marcus Morris had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Pistons, who lost for the eighth time in their last 11 games against Toronto.Coach Stan Van Gundy was particularly irked with his teams defensive play in losing their season opener for the fifth time in seven years, especially the fact that Detroit was outrebounded 51-40. It didnt help that center Andre Drummond left the court after getting elbowed in the jaw by Valanciunas early in the first quarter, though he later returned.The rebounding was a major concern, he said. (Giving up) 54 points in the paint was a major concern and 29 frree throw attempts, so that just means the team tk it right at you.ddddddddddddTIP-INSPistons: Henry Ellenson, Detroits first-round draft pick last June (18th overall) went scoreless in 2:10 of play, while second-round selection Michael Gbinije (49th overall), had two points in 2:10.Raptors: C Lucas Nogueira (ankle) sat out. . DeRozan started his franchise-record eighth straight season opener, breaking a tie with Carter. . First-round draft pick Jakob Poeltl became the first Austrian to play in the NBA. He finished with two points in 12:47 of court time. . Oct. 26 is the earliest date that Toronto has ever had a home opener. . The Raptors are 13-9 on opening night and have won four straight.HE SAID ITIts one thing to watch somebody on TV and see what he does every single night and actually being there and seeing how effortless it was. It was amazing, he was just getting to his spots, shting over people and its like, `How does he do that?Rkie Pascal Siakam, drafted 27th overall in June, on the play of DeRozan. Siakam became the first Toronto rkie to start a season opener since Valanciunas in 2012, and rose to the occasion, hauling in nine rebounds to go along with four points in 21 minutes.UNITED NATIONSWith the draft-day additions of Poeltl (Austria) and Siakam (Camern), Torontos roster has players representing five countries other than the United States. Valanciunas (Lithuania), Cory Joseph (Canada), Nogueira and Bruno Caboclo (Brazil) round out the group. In their 21 seasons, the Raptors have had players representing 16 countries.ANOTHER DIMENSIONEvery fan at the Air Canada Centre was given a pair of 3D glasses. As the Raptors opened their season some of the players were jumping out of the Jumbotron to highlight some of the more spectacular plays from last season.UP NEXTPistons: Host Orlando on Friday in their home opener. Van Gundy is 6-1 against his former team since taking charge in Detroit.Raptors: Host Cleveland on Friday in an early season rematch of last years Eastern Conference Finals, won by the Cavaliers in six games. ' ' '