NFL ratings have been down this season. There are a lot of theories why, including (but not nearly limited to): Fewer bankable stars to market around, lower quality of play due to less practice time, an increased awareness on the long-term damage of concussions, copious commercial breaks, cord cutting, and--yes--people avoiding broadcasts because of protests during the National Anthem. On the latter subject, prior to this Sunday's 49ers-Dolphins game, Colin Kaepernick was on a conference call with some Miami reporters who--of course--asked for his thoughts about having lower ratings for this season pinned on him. The reporters cited recent analysis from Sports Illustrated that claimed some fans are simply tuning the league out due to his choice of pregame protest.
Kaepernick's response was pretty blunt.
"They’re not watching football because of my stance about fighting systematic oppression and wanting the same equality and freedom for all people? I would say they probably need to look in the mirror at what they value," Kaepernick said, according to The Miami Herald. "You know, if they’re OK with people being treated unfairly, being abused, being harassed, being terrorized, then the problem is more with what they’re doing in their lives than it is about watching football games." We wonder if this guy was listening (nah).
Earlier this season, Roger Goodell stated that he didn't think player protests were contributing to the roughly 10 percent drop in TV viewers, adding "There a lot of factors to be considered. We don't make excuses. We try to figure out what's changing." On today, of all days, you can find out for yourself. Screw those stupid repetitive articles about "How to Survive Thanksgiving," as if it's so god damn hard to sit around and eat. Those articles suck. Instead just casually ask the biggest drunken loud-mouth jerkoff relative you got about what he or she (probably he) thinks about Kaepernick during one of the football games. Then listen to him rant for hours about taxes and immigrants and stuff.
Promise, the rest of your family will be glad you did. 👍
