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Former ESPN Broadcaster Hits NFL's 49ers for Protesting National Anthem, Losing Games

Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel for the National Anthem / Getty Images
Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel for the national anthem / Getty Images
October 9, 2017

Former ESPN broadcaster Brent Musburger hit the NFL's San Francisco 49ers on Sunday for leading the way in protesting the national anthem and for losing football games.

Musburger pointed out on Twitter that since the NFL national anthem protests began, the 49ers have had a horrible, 2-19 record. Musburger took a dig at the team, saying they should take a knee in their opponent's end zone, which would result in a safety during a game and two points being awarded to the opposing team.

The protests were started by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the 2016 NFL season, to protest police brutality and racial injustice in the United States. They garnered additional attention in week three of this season after President Donald Trump condemned the protesters, saying NFL owners should respond to a player who kneels during the national anthem by saying "get that son of a bitch of the field right now."

On Sunday, now in week five of the season, the 49ers lost to the Indianapolis Colts in overtime, bringing their record this season to winless, with five losses. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen attended the game, standing for the national anthem, but left afterward when many players kneeled during the anthem.

The players' protest has not bode well for the league, with game broadcast  ratings tanking this season.