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Trump blames NFL's declining ratings on Kaepernick

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Donald Trump offered his theory on the NFL's declining television ratings, pinning the blame on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick is protesting police brutality and racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem, with several players across the league joining him. However, he's become a polarizing figure as a result.

"I don't know if you know, but the NFL is way down in their ratings. Way down," Trump said via CNN. "And you know why? Two reasons. No. 1 is, this politics they’re finding is a rougher game than football, and more exciting.

"Honestly, we’ve taken a lot of people away from the NFL. And the other reason is Kaepernick. Kaepernick."

Kaepernick previously called Trump "openly racist" and the Republican presidential nominee suggested the quarterback "should find a country that works better for him."

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