The NFL took a massive ratings dive last year after a number of players, led by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, refused to stand for the National Anthem. At the time, NFL officials claimed they didn't exactly know why ratings were down and even used the 2016 presidential election as an excuse for why more people weren't watching.
But according to a new survey from J.D. Power, NFL fans did in fact tune out in droves because of the disrespect and protest of the National Anthem before games. From ESPN:
National anthem protests were the top reason that NFL fans watched fewer games last season, according to a new survey released by J.D. Power.
The pollster said it asked more than 9,200 people who attended either one football, basketball or hockey game whether they tuned into fewer games and why. Twenty-six percent of those who watched fewer games last season said that national anthem protests, some of which were led by Colin Kaepernick, were the reason.
After that, 24 percent of those surveyed who said they watched fewer games said they did so either because of the league's off-the-field image issues with domestic violence or with game delays, including penalties.
After being dropped from the 49ers last year, sports pundits and fellow players have accused anyone and everyone of racism for Kaepernick's failure to resign with another team. Turns out he's not only a bad quarterback, but a business liability.
Patriotism is still winning in America and that's a good thing. Here's to hoping this season comes with more respect on the field from players who are privileged to live in the greatest country on earth.
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22 comments:
And now the Ravens are contemplating hiring the idiot.
NFL players make a lot of money and should respect their fans and the fans' wishes.
Showing disrespect toward the National Anthem is not advised!
Ditto for using your position in the NFL as an opportunity to lecture fans about political issues.
Most of us do not care about your political leanings, and prefer that you keep it about entertainment.
We will discuss our politics at times other than when we want to be entertained.
Entertainment is about escaping from more serious matters, not dwelling on them!
I hope the NFL has learned a lesson from this situation.
All of my comments are also relevant for Hollywood entertainers.
We pay them for their sports prowess - not political position!
Just like actors - we don't give a crap about your political views - stick to what we pay you for!
By the sound of it the ravens are looking for an all out revolt by their fan base. Flacco and harbaugh both petioning for acceptance of kaepernick joining the team. Good luck with that Baltimore, state of Maryland fan base, enjoy
But Harbaugh thinks he's a good guy!
His future, if any, in the CFL because of its playing field and rules. Side benefit: Won't have to see our flag or chafe under Star-Spangled Banner.
You don't mess with my flag or my national anthem, even though it's really hard to hit those high notes.
The NFL may be in the sports business but its *REAL* business is entertainment and if the entertainers piss off the customers they can certainly expect financial losses.
I quit watching due to "Racial Inequality", there is a disproportionate amount of Black players, than actual percentage of population.
I am going to ruffle some feathers - pun intended. Ravens do have a thing for thugs. Why are the fans surprised they would consider this d bag? If you put up with thug #52 for all those years why are you whining now?
The TV net works don't want to lose viewers so they won't show any players at all during the National Anthem but if word gets out any players didn't stand up I will tune out that teams games for the rest of the season. The team owners better take notice people are pissed and the players work for them so they can control it.
Thats right and we will boycott further for the respect our veterans deserve. Our patriotism is not to be confused with self serving rich attention freaks looking to capitalize off of race baiting. If Ravens bring in this Kapernickle, I ban their games in my home. My family loves football but not at the expense of respect for those that sacrifice to keep our flag raised and freedom intact.Sick of all the cowards too afraid to make a stand against pc bs..Thats why I love this president. He's not afraid to stand up against idiots using PC to control us and deplete our freedoms for their socialist globalist agenda.
Damn I just bought tickets to a game... I guess I need to buy a Browns jersey.
Bye bye Ravens if that happens
Pro football is in a downward if not yet a death spiral.
Players, like the Raven who is leaving for MIT, have better things to do in life and as do those couch potatoes who watch the games as if they were important.
The NATIONAL FELON LEAGUE!! It would refreshing to see Joe public stop supporting and idolizing professional sports.look at professional football, its a never ending circus of thugs being played to play a child's game and don't possess the maturity to handle the fame and fortune. Then there's jerks like jerry Jones who you would think at his age and status would be a better mentor. He's just as bad if not worse than the players. Stop complaining about the decay of society when this is what's you spend so much time and money supporting
I have never supported The National Felony League and never will.
521
The player is not attending MIT for a new degree.
The player quit playing football because of fears he may have CET - a brain damage condition.
I, for one, have much better things to do with my time on a Sunday - attending services and spending it with my family are much more valuable to me than wasting three hours of my life watching immature adult children act in disgraceful ways
Paladin
Palidin there are plenty of adults acting immature and disgraceful that go to church. Many of us like spending time with family watching football it's not that much different.
The deep state has targeted football as the next American icon to take away in forming their new nation.
Don't pay high-priced entertainers to sing the National Anthem to their own artistic rendition. Instead play a recording of the proper way it is to be sung. Maybe, in this instance, you could learn from history. Roll back time and listen to how it once was when we had pride in our anthem and country and not bow to this garbage that is being force-fed to us now.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Palidin there are plenty of adults acting immature and disgraceful that go to church. Many of us like spending time with family watching football it's not that much different.
July 29, 2017 at 9:41 PM
OH, I don't know about that. It's good that you each spend time with your family but I would hope church services would be more edifying and instill a deeper bond than sitting on a sofa eating wings and drinking beer perhaps.
Both are good. But comparing one to the other ends at being in the same room with each other IMO
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