The NFL’s national anthem protests have divided America.
The racist attacks on police officers and disrespect for the military has patriotic Americans infuriated.
And now the protesters saw an image that was the worst news of their life.
The NFL’s ratings are down seven percent from last year and over 18 percent from 2015.
But that isn’t the worst news for NFL owners.
Stadiums across the league are empty as fans refuse to patronize the owners who coddle their anti-American players.
Images spread across social media of ghost town stadiums during week 7.
#NFL #NYJvsMIA RT @nsbbcom: Nobody cares about jet or dolphins @[me] pic.twitter.com/k6wPSlIRJG
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) October 22, 2017
And we are underway #Browns #Titans pic.twitter.com/dcrirhjo6r
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 22, 2017
Chicago #NFL #CARvsCHI RT @chrisbleck: lots of empty seats at kickoff pic.twitter.com/hrs7vXgj6Z
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) October 22, 2017
NFL owners and league executives underestimated the fan backlash.
After Donald Trump said owners should fire players who knelt for the anthem, owners and league officials quickly circled the wagons around their America hating players.
They figured fans would still watch as their allegiance to Sunday football was stronger than their allegiance to their country.
This was a terrible miscalculation.
But the damage has now been done and the league may never recover.