For the last almost 80 years that football has been televised its popularity has grown exponentially. It has become a defining aspect of American culture. Millions of people tune in every Sunday to watch the games and many children are put in the sport at a young age. Football seems to be an unstoppable force, but it is slowing down. It has been able to withstand not only time but also a lot of controversy with its players. They have done everything from abuse to murder but, at the start of the 2016 football season the NFL’s kryptonite was found: football players having political opinions.  

In the summer of 2016 at a preseason game, former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick protested against police brutality in the US by kneeling during the national anthem. This sparked a movement against racial injustice and led to several other players also kneeling. Though, the most notable response was the blaring outrage from many conservative football fans. For months actual serious news stations, like Fox News, spent way too much time complaining about public figures using their constitutional rights to peacefully protest, declaring it un-American and calling for a boycott of the NFL unless they denounce these players action. Though football still remains the most watched sport in the US, it’s ratings have been going down over the past year. Many speculate that this controversy and the increasing severity of football related injuries may lead to football’s downfall.