NFL Kneeling is Declining, But Not Over With Yet
Despite declining ticket sales and bailing advertisers, outraged fans and a tweeting president, some NFL players still kneel during the national anthem. Some even raised their fists. And as long as they do, the public backlash against the league will continue.
Fewer did so in recent weeks, as owners and coaches began telling players to stand. Instead, many who might have kneeled stayed in the locker room or tunnel, or stood behind the line of their teammates.
The NFL isn’t pushing the issue. Last week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that players will not be required to stand for the anthem. However, he did say they “should” stand and that NFL officials will deal with players kneeling in the future. He said the NFL is trying to stay out of politics.
President Trump has continued criticizing the kneeling players in tweets.
Two dozen NFL players continue to kneel during the National Anthem, showing total disrespect to our Flag & Country. No leadership in NFL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2017
Some of the teams are standing but locking arms during the anthem. It is considered halfway between standing respectfully vs. kneeling. Trump has not objected to it. During the Cavaliers’ season-opener against the Celtics, the Cavaliers stood with locked arms. LeBron James wore shoes that said “Equality” in gold on them.
LeBron's kicks for tonight #Equality (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/P3HNwCGRiW
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) October 17, 2017
Protests Spreading Beyond Players
Several cheerleaders from Kennesaw State in Georgia knelt during the anthem at a college football game. There was a backlash, and the school’s athletic department moved them into the tunnel of the Fifth Third Bank Stadium during the next game’s anthem.
Fewer players knelt this past Sunday.
Former American Idol singer Jessica Sanchez took a knee after performing the anthem at a Chargers-Raiders game on Sunday. A video of her singing appeared on her Facebook page afterward, but it did not include the portion of her kneeling. It later completely disappeared.
Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started the practice of kneeling in order to draw attention to racism, has not been signed to a team this year. He filed a lawsuit against the NFL alleging collusion to keep him out of the league.
The protests are no longer limited to Kaepernick’s original complaint. Thirteen members of an Iowa high school marching band walked off the field while the rest of the band played the national anthem. One of the students, Lara Murray, told The Des Moines Register, “How can we be unified if there’s racism, sexism and homophobia in our school?”
Former NFL receiver Donté Stallworth said Saturday on CNN that the NFL kneeling protests are also about the “gender pay gap.”
Backlash Continuing
Ratings are down for the NFL this season by more than 7 percent from last season. More than 60 percent view the NFL unfavorably, up from around 30 percent in September. It’s hurting fan attendance.
Photos went viral of half-empty stadiums around the country. IJR compiled photos of stadiums from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ stadium, the New York Jets game at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, the Atlanta Falcons’ stadium, the Houston Texans’ game and the Baltimore Ravens’ home game. The Weekly Opine tweeted a photo of empty seats at a Chicago Bears game, noting that their games usually sell out.
A lot of empty seats at Chgo #NFL game. #Bears usually sell out. #ESPN #CBS #FoxSports pic.twitter.com/STraGNEjPV
— The Weekly Opine (@theweeklyopine) October 22, 2017
Reacting to the protests. police officers refused to work security at the Miami Dolphins game yesterday. So few volunteered that some had to be required to work the game. The total number at the event was still a third less than usual. Dade County Police Benevolent Association President John Rivera told CBS News, “This whole movement started against police officers, and now it’s morphed into disrespecting the flag and the country.”
The backlash from private businesses hasn’t ended. The owner of four franchises of Fox’s Pizza Den in Mississippi and Louisiana posted signs on the doors saying the restaurant would no longer show NFL games on Sundays.
Kneeling during the anthem is considered offensive to many Americans who served in the military. It’s even more offensive to those whose loved ones sacrificed their lives while serving. Until the players realize their protests send the wrong message, the backlash will continue.
Follow Rachel on Twitter at Rach_IC.
