With just one week to go before the start of the regular season, the NFL has received more bad news. According to a newly released NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey, most voters believe that sideline protests during the national anthem are “inappropriate.”
The poll, which was conducted August 18-22 by Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies, found that 54 percent of registered voters believe that kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality is “inappropriate,” compared to 43 percent who described it as “appropriate.”
Majority Opposes NFL Protests; Media on Wrong Side of History https://t.co/Vr27cfMja2
— NewsBusters (@newsbusters) August 30, 2018
In May, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that players and league personnel would be required to stand in respect of the American flag on the sideline during the national anthem. However, the policy was placed on hold in July after the NFL Players Association cried foul; the NFL and NFLPA have yet to agree on a revised policy. Meanwhile, NFL players continue to kneel.
Miami Dolphins players Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson knelt during the National Anthem prior to their preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. That same day, Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch sat during the national anthem in Arizona – something he claims he’s always done. However, when the Raiders played the New England Patriots in Mexico City in November 2017, Lynch stood for the Mexican national anthem – a move that was not lost on President Donald Trump at the time.
Marshawn Lynch of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem. Great disrespect! Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2017
Trump is right about one thing: fewer people are watching the NFL. According to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 31 percent of people said they follow professional football “not closely at all,” up from 21 percent in January 2014. Meanwhile, 24 percent said they follow very closely, down from 25 percent in January 2014.
Has Colin Kaepernick destroyed American football? It sure seems like it.
