NFL ratings have plummeted ever since players started kneeling during the national anthem. Prior to this season, NFL executives made some rule changes that they hoped would put a stop to these protests and incentivize fans to start watching again. Unfortunately for them, however, something happened last night that showed that their efforts may have been in vain.
Daily Mail reported that an unnamed cheerleader on the former team of Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem before their game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi’s Stadium. A fan snapped a photo of the moment, and it quickly went viral.
One of the Niners cheerleaders is taking a knee. pic.twitter.com/DW5SJqh9zj
— 2004 never happened (@GatorLenny) November 2, 2018
Colin Kaepernick is the player who started taking a knee during the national anthem before games last year, saying that he was doing so to protest against racial inequality in the United States. Soon after, many other players followed suit. However, fans saw this move as a blatant show of disrespect against our flag and the veterans who gave their lives for it, so they responded by turning off their televisions.
[totalpoll id=”133765″]
What this cheerleader did is the last thing the NFL needs right now, as it shows that the protests may be growing even bigger than they were before. Fans are already taking to social media to voice their anger about the kneeling cheerleader.
NFL cheerleaders of all people likely have no idea what it is really like to sacrifice everything for our flag. NFL players and cheerleaders alike need to start showing the flag the respect that it deserves, or they may soon find themselves out of the job. The NFL would be wise to put a real policy in place as soon as possible before they lose a lot of loyalty.