The controversy over football players protesting during the national anthem has spilled over into tennis just as a new poll delivered a negative blow to the NFL.
Less than one week before the start of the 2018 NFL regular season, a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found that not as many people closely follow the NFL as they did a few years ago. Fans are also deeply divided over the issue.
While the poll found a three percent increase from January in the number of registered voters closely following the NFL this season, the 52 percent figure reveals a six point decrease from 2014. Men over 50 years old follow the league more closely than any other demographic but they are also the ones most likely to disapprove of the anthem protests which were sparked by former San Francisco 49ers player, Colin Kaepernick.
The poll revealed that 54 percent of those responding found the protests inappropriate while 43 percent said they are appropriate. The poll released Friday from NBC News and The Wall Street Journal also found that 89 percent of Trump voters called the protests during the national anthem inappropriate.
“It’s not going in the right direction,” Fred Yang, a Democratic pollster, told the Wall Street Journal.
“I’m pretty much over it. I’m sticking with college football from here on out,” Dallas Cowboys fan Tommy Davis said.
Meanwhile, Tennis star Serena Williams thinks everyone should be “completely grateful” for the NFL protests.
Kaepernick and fellow former San Francisco 49ers player, Eric Reid, were in attendance at Williams’match at the U.S. Open last week where they received a rousing standing ovation, the Associated Press reported.
“I think every athlete, every human, and definitely every African-American should be completely grateful and honored how Colin and Eric are doing so much more for the greater good, so to say,” Williams said after the match according to the AP. “They really use their platform in ways that is really unfathomable. I feel like they obviously have great respect from a lot of their peers, especially other athletes, people that really are looking for social change.”
After the match, Kaepernick tweeted a photo of his niece with a shout out to the tennis star.
Took my niece to see @serenawilliams and @venuswilliams play tonight with @E_Reid35 at Arthur Ashe stadium.
Lani lost it when Serena surprised her after the match!!!
Thank you so much Serena!!! pic.twitter.com/MpR2KOSU1V— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 1, 2018
“Lani lost it when Serena surprised her after the match!!! Thank you so much Serena !!!”
Fans on Twitter were clear about their plans in the upcoming NFL regular season which kicks off Thursday, Sept. 6 as the Atlanta Falcons take on the Philadelphia Eagles, this year’s Super Bowl champions.
Every tennis star and nfl player should be grateful for U.S. military hero’s that died to give the freedom to say stupid stuff.
— dave robinson (@regulargunguy) September 3, 2018
As with #Lebron and now #Serena, I do not take political opinions from athletes. I’m grateful for my freedoms but because of service members like my dad, not overpaid wind bags who like to hear themselves talk
— benross88 (@benross88) September 2, 2018
No NFL in this house! Spoiled rich brats should learn to be responsible citizens, husbands and fathers instead of spitting in the face of the nation that has given them such great freedom and prosperity!
— T L Osborne (@TLOsborne1) August 31, 2018
Geez, now I can’t watch women’s tennis. What a loss.
— David Clarke ?? (@dwc28) September 2, 2018
Good thing I don’t watch tennis or I would be boycotting it.
— Elaine Kardiasmenos (@ElaineKardias) September 2, 2018
I have a lot of respect for @serenawilliams and what she has accomplished in her life. Her dominance of womens tennis will be tough for anyone to equal or exceed in our lifetimes. Her support for the false narrative of BLM and the NFL protests is disappointing.
— Jim (@the_real_crusak) September 2, 2018
Maybe it’s time for player salaries to start falling commensurate with the NFL’s decline in popularity.
— Jim (@dador92) August 31, 2018
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