It took a Donald Trump presidency to bring Mike Evans to this point, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver decided to join other NFL players on Sunday in a pre-game protest after the result of Tuesday's election.

Evans sat on the bench during the playing of the United States national anthem ahead of Sunday's 36-10 win over the Chicago Bears, mimicking the movement started in the preseason by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

And he will continue to do so "as long as [Trump's] the president-elect," Evans explained after the game.

"If this happens then America's not right right now," Evans said, via ESPN.com. "I said this a long time ago. When [Trump] ran, I thought it was a joke. The joke continues.

"I'm not a political person that much, but I got common sense. And I know when something's not right."

Evans went on to emphasise that his demonstration is not meant to be construed as disrespectful to military.

That has been the main criticism of Kaepernick's movement, which he has said is intended to raise awareness for racial injustice and police brutality in the United States.

"The men and women who serve this country, I'm forever indebted to them," Evans said.

"But the things that's been going on in America lately, I'm not going to stand for that. When Ashton Kutcher comes out and says we've been punked, then I'll stand again. But I won't stand anymore."