TV cameras intentionally avoided NFL fans angry over players protesting during live coverage of the national anthem before Week 3 games, Sporting News reported, citing a behind-the-scenes staffer.
Crowd shots on Sunday were few and far between as networks seemed to avoid focusing on the stands, Sporting News said, and only included footage of fans happily clapping along to the national anthem.
However, there were lots of angry fans in the stands booing, yelling and jeering at protesting players. While the TV cameras pointed away from them, their anger could be heard via the audio.
Live coverage of the national anthem before a game is usually reserved for something like the Super Bowl. And live coverage of a news event, like the protests grew to be, wasn't something game TV crews do every week.
A behind-the-scenes TV staffer said that camera operators had been given instructions to avoid focusing on the crowd in case they captured shots of fans counter-protesting the protests, Sporting News reported.
However, CBS spokeswoman Jennifer Sabatelle dismissed that, telling Sporting News that “the anthem was covered by each crew in their own way, with many choosing to stay with what was happening on the field.”
She added that “there was no directive given to not show the fans."
Sporting News noted how a sports announcer commented on the very audible boos heard during ESPN's "Monday Night Football" telecast of the Cowboys-Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona.
According to RT, loud booing could be heard around the stadium as the Dallas Cowboys football team locked arms for the anthem.
The Detroit Free Press reported how a contingent of Lions fans booed before the singing of the anthem on Sunday, directing their jeers towards players taking a knee during the song.
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