Baltimore Ravens President Blames Empty Seats on Anthem Protests

Dick Cass sent the letter to season-ticket owners and sponsors.

Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens players kneel in protest during the national anthem before the NFL International Series match at Wembley Stadium, London. (Simon Cooper/PA Images via Getty Images)
PA Images via Getty Images

The Baltimore Ravens attributed a slight dip in attendance to players’ kneeling during the national anthem in a letter to season-ticket holders and sponsors, signed by team president Dick Cass. According to ESPN, the language in the letter reads, “There are a number of reasons for the no-shows, but surely the one-time protest in London has been a factor.” During a September 24 game in London, the same weekend that Trump referred to a kneeling player as a “son of a bitch,” more than a dozen Ravens took a knee. Cass also met with and spoke to fans who were upset about the kneeling. In the letter, Cass references unity and states, “we know that we must continue to earn your respect and investment in us.”

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