NFL stadium attendance continues to suffer as the backlash from players protesting the National Anthem extends into week 15. Fans from across the league are sharing photos showing stadiums plagued by empty seats this Sunday.Â
The NFL has been on the losing end of the culture war since players from around the league began kneeling during the National Anthem. Started by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the ill-placed form of protest has led to failing stadium attendance, lackluster ratings and the scorn of the most powerful in the world — President Donald Trump.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants at MetLife Stadium
“Lots of empty seats 10 mins into the game at giants stadium today… and tons of eagles fans,” noted Joseph Panagaro with 5:28 left in the first quarter.
https://twitter.com/JoePangaro/status/942460786538172417
Touchdown #GiantsPride! Nice one. #PHIvsNYG #ranNFL pic.twitter.com/Q2Rgp07ty1
— Dominic Sauer (@DomSauer) December 17, 2017
With just seconds remaining in the first quarter, MetLife Stadium still had tons of empty seats.
Loving being at @Giants @MLStadium #GiantsPride #GiantsNation pic.twitter.com/bBg11WTGoR
— Ian (@ebo_harvey) December 17, 2017
Attendance didn’t get any better in the second quarter.
https://twitter.com/RobbyDizzle/status/942470386003914752
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium
“Plenty of empty seats in Cleveland today,” noted Sean Grogan at kickoff.
Plenty of empty seats in Cleveland today. pic.twitter.com/WiaS5hd0Im
— Sean Grogan (@By_SeanGrogan) December 17, 2017
“Hmmm. Lots of empty seats at #FirstEnergy. Disappointing @Browns fans,” tweeted MSNBC host Hugh Hewitt.
Hmmm. Lots of empty seats at #FirstEnergy. Disappointing @Browns fans.
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) December 17, 2017
Former ESPN anchor Jay Crawford tweeted this photo of half empty FirstEnergy Stadium, calling it a “factory of sadness.”
https://twitter.com/JaycrawfordCLE/status/942459880321028097
Ravens vs. Browns attendance still pretty rough at the start of the second quarter.Â
“Beginning of the second half. Traffic to the stadium must’ve been bad today,” joked blogger ‘Reflog_18.’
Beginning of the second half. Traffic to the stadium must’ve been bad today. pic.twitter.com/7h4O1Fz5nr
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) December 17, 2017
Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins at FedExFieldÂ
Washington Post Sports blogger Dan Steinberg tweeted the following photo at kickoff. As you can seat, there’s empty seats galore.
This is a better shot at kickoff. Seems to be filling in pic.twitter.com/noXBOO5WXl
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) December 17, 2017
“Late 1st quarter, not much better crowd as Redskins lead Cards 7-3 at FedEx Field,” added Wayne Viener.
Late 1st quarter, not much better crowd as Redskins lead Cards 7-3 at FedEx Field #httr pic.twitter.com/IHAxAjywOE
— wayne viener (@WayneTerp) December 17, 2017
Attendance didn’t get much better during the second quarter.
“Here’s the crowd midway through the second quarter. Probably better than I would have guessed. Nice spirit too,” tweeted Steinberg.
Here's the crowd midway through the second quarter. Probably better than I would have guessed. Nice spirit too pic.twitter.com/RbJdllHCSJ
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) December 17, 2017
SRO not necessarily packed but I dunno pic.twitter.com/KbJFbDuYrK
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) December 17, 2017
Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium
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Hundreds of bright blue seats can be seen well into the Packers vs. Panthers match-up.
“Just announced a sellout. Funny looking sellout with all the empty seats. Never see that at @LambeauField,” tweeted Kathy Anderson.
Just announced a sellout. Funny looking sellout with all the empty seats. Never see that at @LambeauField #GBvsCAR @packers #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/9oxz79ZdNJ
— Dr. Kathy Anderson (@kathyanderson22) December 17, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc0IcJaBetY/
Hundreds of empty seats still visible with just 4:31 remaining in the second quarter.
Nice View Huh ? #GBvsCAR pic.twitter.com/PBn9BdH4M7
— BigHal Nunn (@BigHalNunn) December 17, 2017
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field
Texans vs. Jaguars game was also plagued by poor attendance with hundreds of seats still available well into the first quarter.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc0ESosltzU/
Is that @DanHicken up in the 400s at @EverBankField? YOU KNOW IT! We've all got @Jaguars fever!! pic.twitter.com/U9Ycm2R6HA
— Marcel Robinson (@MarcelASJax) December 17, 2017
“Always great to be @EverBankField watching the @Jaguars play — especially when they are taking an #AFCSouth rival to school,” tweeted auhtor Chris Hand with 9:42 left in the second quarter.
Always great to be @EverBankField watching the @Jaguars play — especially when they are taking an #AFCSouth rival to school. #Sacksonville pic.twitter.com/7qtHpvArIS
— Chris Hand (@chrishandjax) December 17, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc0KAY3HlBG/
#Jaguars 21 #Texans 0 bottom Q2 pic.twitter.com/gGQ1osxsCZ
— PHILL-DreamKingFilmz (@dreamkingfilmz) December 17, 2017
Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium
“Biggest anthem crowd at Levis since the inaugural season. #49ersgot that Jimmy G. bounce,” noted radio host Damon Bruce.
Biggest anthem crowd at Levis since the inaugural season. #49ers got that Jimmy G. bounce. pic.twitter.com/yXAhlruIwY
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) December 17, 2017
Thousands of seats still available at kickoff.
Ready for kickoff! #49ers pic.twitter.com/LCiC0zRqRP
— Sara Bueno (@TVwebproducer) December 17, 2017
With less than 10 minutes to go in the first quarter, NBC Bay Area web producer noted, this is the “Most fans I’ve seen at a #49ers game in a very very long time.”
Most fans I've seen at a #49ers game in a very very long time. pic.twitter.com/7P4W6XSegQ
— Sara Bueno (@TVwebproducer) December 17, 2017