A new poll finds there will be fewer people sitting down in front of their TV’s this weekend to watch an NFL game. Can you guess why?
Nearly one-third of American adults say they are less likely to watch a National Football League game because of the growing number of Black Lives Matter protests that are happening by players on the field. The findings come from pollsters at Rasmussen.
Thirty-two percent polled online and by telephone said they’re willing to skip NFL games this year because of player protests over racial issues. Only 13 percent said they were more likely to watch the games because of the protests, and 52 percent said the protests had no impact on their viewing decisions.
Whites were twice as likely as blacks to say they are less likely to watch this year.
Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback, inspired African American NFL players across the country to join him in protesting what he considers to be racial injustice in the U.S. by taking a knee or raising a power fist during the national anthem.
President Barack Obama has defended Kaepernick’s protest, which began in August’s pre-season, saying even though some Americans may disagree, Kaepernick’s right to protest is “what freedom means in this country,” so long as its within the law.
The NFL, which has refused to do anything about the protests, has had its television ratings collapse this season.