The NFL is in its offseason, but that doesn’t mean big decisions aren’t being made.
A couple of weeks ago, the league made a wise move by banning players from protesting the national anthem.
But Fox News’ latest poll reveals that the NFL’s effort to repair their damaged reputation is too little too late.
The NFL’s popularity is on a current nosedive trajectory into oblivion. Former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick initiated the anthem-kneeling fiasco and the league hasn’t been able to recover.
They introduced the new rule on May 29th, which requires all players on the field to stand during the anthem, otherwise they will be fined. They also have the option of staying in the locker room.
But has this persuaded fans to come back to the NFL?
NEW #NFL ratings @ a low: 42% favorable vs. 43% unfavorable @FoxNews #Poll MORE: https://t.co/6ZJTFQR4ZH pic.twitter.com/UhL316rU67
— Fox News Poll (@foxnewspoll) June 14, 2018
It looks like the new rule has had no effect on that outcome.
This is the first time people have held a more negative perception of the NFL than a positive one.
Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducted the poll with Democrat Chris Anderson,explains why he believes this is so:“Recent controversies — the handling of sexual assault cases, brain trauma controversies, the anthem issue — seem to have taken a toll on attitudes toward the NFL as an institution. These attitudes don’t necessarily mean people won’t watch or go to games, but they are clearly a cause for concern among NFL officials.”
Sexual assault and domestic violence cases have always been a thorn in the NFL’s side.
In certain cases, they conduct their own investigation independently of the court system, often coming to a different conclusion like in the case of Cowboys’ running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliot was accused of domestic violence against a female acquaintance in two different states, but was not charged by either state.
But under NFL’s personal conduct policy, Commissioner Roger Goodell has the judge jury and executioner powers to discipline a player regardless.
This made fans and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones furious. There is an appeal process, but that runs through Goodell as well. Regardless of whether you believe Elliot was guilty or not, doesn’t that seem unfair that Goodell has that kind of power?
When it comes to brain trauma,the NFL issued new ZERO1’s multiple layered helmets. But these helmets are only marginally better than the old ones—USA Today reported there was a five-year high of 281 reported concussions last season.
Basically their solution to head trauma was “safer” helmets instead of doing away with the most dangerous play in the game – the kickoff return.
And then you have the NFL giving teams the option to stay in the locker room, which is arguably just as un-American as allowing them to kneel during the anthem.
The point is that every solution the NFL has come up with is either a bad one or the wrong one.
Can you think of other reasons you won’t watch football next season?
Let us know in the comments below.