ESPN's presentation of "Monday Night Football" will break with tradition and televise the national anthem tonight, ESPN confirmed to Business Insider.
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ESPN's 'Monday Night Football' will break with tradition and air the national anthem tonight
ESPN's "Monday Night Football" will televise the national anthem tonight, amid a protest movement of kneeling during it.
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The network's airing of the national anthem before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals comes amid a prominent protest movement of kneeling during the anthem, which saw more than 200 players participate on Sunday.
The movement has received repeated condemnation from President Trump, who in turn has faced backlash from NFL owners, athletes, and celebrities.
ESPN will also re-air the NFL's unity-promoting ad "Inside These Lines," which first aired during Super Bowl LI.
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While The Wrap speculates that televising the anthem could capitalize on ratings intrigue in the wake of a national news story, "Monday Night Football" and NFL broadcasts at large have seen a big decline in ratings.
In week two, "Monday Night Football" ratings dropped 14%according to Nielsen
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