Okay. My tongue is bleeding because I’ve been biting
so hard.
I don’t know Donald Trump. I can’t tell you how he
thinks. More often t than not, though, I
understand the what the result of his actions might be.
![]() |
Buffalo Bills players protesting the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner. |
As Trump continues to speak directly with his
constituency through social media, his supporters get an unfiltered message. Clearly, the President doesn't care for the media filter to deliver his position. When he speaks directly to voters who turn out to hear his
speeches, he knows exactly the response they
hope to achieve. So, when President Trump referred to NFL athletes who kneel during the National
Anthem as “sons of bitches,” there's little doubt that he understood the reaction he'd affect. For folks who aren’t familiar with American
history, that’s powerful imagery for some players.
I suspect
that President Trump isn’t terribly fond of some NFL owners.
A recent Experian Simmons study shows that
this is true demographically. Of people who identified themselves as
part of the NFL fan base 83 percent were white, 64 percent were male, 51
percent were 45 years or older, only 32 percent made less than $60,000 a year,
and, to finish the point, registered Republicans were 21 percent more likely to
be NFL fans than registered Democrats. Another factoid: NFL fans were 59
percent more likely than the average American to have played golf in the last
year.[i]
By making this and other statements relating to the
behavior of some players, Mr. Trump is effectively galvanizing those players’
solidarity. It’s more than a little bit likely that Team Trump understood how
his comments would be taken. More players would kneel during the National
Anthem and rhetoric would compound. Likely, some of the more, well, inexperienced
players would likely make an outrageous or unreasonable statement, which would,
in turn, dampen the ardor of the largest among NFL demographics. A less
enthusiastic fan base spends less money on tickets, broadcast products, and
gear. Considering the NFL’s total annual revenue is $13.3 billion,[ii] a
decrease in NFL product sales to the largest market, well, puts a big dent in
owners’ asset values.
![]() |
Rams and 49ers kick-off to an empty stadium. |
Players who take the hook are not only caught, but
they are also biting on what is so obviously isn’t even live bait.
![]() |
Saints fans burn gear after players' protest. |
One thing is certain; many of the NLF players are,
well, playing into the President’s hand. Frankly, it's not a matter of whether they can. It's a matter of whether they should. Personally, I
think every NFL player should stand for the two and a half minutes while a bright-eyed young American sings the Star-Spangled Banner. For those who
continue to show what a majority of Americans believe is disrespect for our country and for the women and men who have died to defend it, protesters may win a battle, but lose the war.
As football players, they should readily comprehend that.
As football players, they should readily comprehend that.
[i] “NFL: Last sports bastion of white, male
conservatives.” The Great Debate. www.blogs.reuters.com.
Neil Gabler. March 24, 2014.
[ii] “Thanks
To Roger Goodell, NFL Revenues Projected To Surpass $13 Billion In 2016.” Forbes Magazine. www.forbes.com. Jason Belzer. February 29,
2016.