A new poll finds that despite a recent rash of domestic violence incidents involving NFL players, football remains America’s favorite team sport.
Eighty-two percent of respondents to a new survey by the Emerson College Polling Society said they had watched an NFL game this year.
Almost half of those surveyed expressed disapproval of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Forty-seven percent said his domestic abuse policy doesn’t go far enough. On the opposite side, 20 percent of respondents said the policy went too far. Twenty-four percent want Goodell fired – and that number goes up among African Americans to 47 percent.
The poll shows 77 percent of Americans are following coverage of former Ravens running back Ray Rice and 18 percent think he should play this week. Twenty-eight percent say he should be banned for life.
Fewer respondents said they were following issues with Minnesota Vikings player Adrian Peterson – 62 percent. Just 18 percent said he should be banned for life. Peterson was indicted for child abuse for hitting his 4-year-old son with a switch… But of those Emerson polled, 60 percent said they approve of spanking children.
Pollsters also asked respondents to weigh in on whether the Washington Redskins should change their name. Eighty-one percent said ‘no.’
Emerson surveyed 1,000 people nationwide on Wednesday and Thursday (September 17th and 18th). The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
