today by paving the way for former teammate Bottas to repl

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers apologized Friday for canceling the national anthem performance of a singer wearing a We Matter jersey.The 76ers backtracked from their original stance when they told R&B singer Sevyn Streeter she could not perform the anthem before Wednesday nights season opener because of the shirts slogan.We are sorry that this happened, the Sixers said in a Friday statement. After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing. We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back.A person familiar with the decision to invite Streeter back said she would be allowed to wear her We Matter jersey if she decided to sing. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the Sixers had not announced the detail publicly.Streeter could not immediately be reached for comment.Streeter said in an interview with The Associated Press late Wednesday she was told she would not sing just minutes before her performance.Id say two minutes before we were about to walk out ... the organization told me that I could not wear my shirt while singing the national anthem at their game, the R&B singer said by phone. I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe.The Sixers players met Thursday and were considering whether to respond to Streeters cancellation.Everybody expressed their emotions about it, forward Robert Covington said. We want to take steps about it. We just dont know exactly what steps we want to take. We talked about a lot of different things.The Sixers play at home Saturday against Atlanta. Gordie Howe Red Wings Jersey . The Olympic champion curler and TSN curling analyst immediately went online to look at the Halls long list of honoured members. Thats when the enormity of the honour sunk in. Michael Rasmussen Red Wings Jersey . LUCIE, Fla. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/trevor-daley-jersey/ . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Luke Glendening Jersey . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Steve Yzerman Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Felipe Massa has signed a deal to come out of retirement and return to Williams as Valtteri Bottas replacement, according to multiple reports.Massa had planned to retire from Formula One following this years Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and received an emotional send off at his home race in Brazil last month. However, a surprise return in 2017 would answer the biggest question hanging over F1 today by paving the way for former teammate Bottas to replace retiring world champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes.?Bottas currently tops Mercedes wishlist, but his 2017 Williams contract has so far prevented a straight switch to the world champions. Williams has been reluctant to let him go amid fears it will destabilise the team under next years new regulations, but Massas return would provide the continuity the technical side of the team is loooking for.dddddddddddd report on Brazils Grande Premio website said Massa signed a contract on Monday that gives Williams an option on his services if Mercedes goes ahead with the Bottas deal. Massa would partner 18-year-old rookie Lance Stroll, who joins the team off the back of championship success in Formula 3.Last week deputy team principal Claire Williams said she would only let Bottas go if a credible replacement can be found in time. That sparked rumours that Massa could return, with the Brazilian driver posting a cryptic tweet ahead of a family holiday on Friday.If Massa does return next year it will be his 15th season in Formula One and his fourth consecutive year racing for Williams. ' ' '