The year-long political protests plaguing the NFL continued during the league’s disastrous second week, with multiple players from at least three teams making overt demonstrations during the performance of the US national anthem.
Two players from the Miami Dolphins kneeled during the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ during their face-off against the New York Jets, while two Denver Broncos athletes stayed in the locker room and one Oakland Raiders player simply sat during the anthem.
Dolphins players continued their protests during the national anthem before their game with #Jets, as two players kneeled and one raised a fist | @meanbarb https://t.co/curmFfitn0 pic.twitter.com/lQFz8c7XsH
— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) September 16, 2018
Marshawn Lynch sat on the sidelines during the playing of the national anthem for a second straight week pic.twitter.com/CYtCPfhchS
— Post Sports (@PostSports) September 16, 2018
2 Broncos Stay Off Field During National Anthem, Marshawn Lynch Sits https://t.co/D44IlTQfcB pic.twitter.com/m4js5Xpirj
— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) September 16, 2018
The NFL continues to struggle with sagging ratings and furious fans as professional athletes take their protests into their third straight season.
FOOTBALL FANS REVOLT: Local Support Plummets, NY JETS DOWN 37%
Weeks of NFL player protests during the national anthem are not only having a negative impact on the league’s national audience, it’s also taking a massive hit on local television viewership; with 25 of the organization’s 32 teams showing a severe drop from this time last year.
According to NBC Sports, most teams are down at least five percent and the New York Jets –who play in the nation’s biggest sports market- are down a stunning 37 percent from this time last year. Just three times, the Buccaneers, Chiefs, and Lions have higher ratings during the 2017 season.
The problems plaguing the NFL continue to spiral out of control as owners and officials struggle to ease fans’ fury over the protesting players. According to Deadline Hollywood, the NFL’s sixth week of the season reached record lows, as television viewership fell a shocking 13% from the previous week.
President Trump again commented on the NFL protests Wednesday, saying the league’s decision to “not force players to stand” during the national anthem showed “total disrespect” for the US.
“The NFL has decided that it will not force players to stand for the playing of our National Anthem. Total disrespect for our great country!” wrote the President on twitter.
FUMBLE: Furious NFL Fans Tuning-Out in Droves After Player Protests
Hardcore fans of the National Football League are tuning-out in droves, with over 30% of self-described “fans of the NFL” choosing to change the channel after their favorite athletes openly disrespect the national anthem and American flag.
The fans tell the New York Post they are intentionally “watching less football this season,” and over half directly blame the ongoing controversy over the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ as the reason they’re tuning-out.
According to a new poll, 52% said they were watching something else because they “disagreed with the protests.”
The NFL found itself in the center of a media firestorm after professional athletes chose to “take a knee” during the playing of the national anthem; a visible protest of police brutality and historical injustices in the United States, according to players.
President Trump called-out the “disgraceful” athletes and owners, asking NFL fans to boycott the league until officials and owners instituted new guidelines that prohibit players from protesting during the playing of the national anthem.
“If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem,” wrote the President.