Sports

NFL Leadership Is Beyond Stupid If They Think The Average Fan Will Tolerate Protests

David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
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The NFL should think long and hard before further embracing national anthem protests.

The league has done nothing to stop players from taking a knee, sitting, working out or finding other ways to disrespect the national anthem. It was already a problem when a dozen or so players refused to stand, but now you have over one hundred players not respecting the anthem.

Some teams didn’t even take the field during the anthem at all. Roger Goodell and the rest of the NFL leadership has gone insane if they believe fans won’t revolt over these ridiculous anthem antics.

Thousands of fans broke out into a chorus of boos during home games for the Washington Redskins and New England Patriots. The NFL has a nightmare scenario on its hands when fans are booing protesters in two of the most liberal regions of America.

The average football fan doesn’t want to hear about gripes from Colin Kaepernick or anybody else. They want to watch some football, relax, have a couple beers and unplug from everything for a couple hours over the weekend. They don’t want to get a hybrid version of football cross-pollinated with the worst of MSNBC.

Trump won almost every single state with an SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 football team. People in the heartland, the South and the Midwest all love football, and they overwhelming supported Trump.

I grew up among these people, so I think I have a pretty good idea of what your average fan is like. They love America, their families, most go to church and they have absolutely zero tolerance for disrespecting this country. Will they stop going to games or turn off the TV? Some certainly will, and ratings are already in a free fall.

The bigger issue in the short term for the NFL is having stadiums full of fans who are booing their own teams. The optics of stadiums on national television with thunderous booing is awful.

Goodell needs to put an end to all of this before the downward spiral hits the point of no return.

WATCH THIS: PITTSBURGH STEELERS PROTEST BY REMAINING IN LOCKER ROOM DURING ANTHEM

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