I think that's  exacty UNTRUE, AhiPoke.  The kneelers' issues were lost in marginalization prior to Trump's idiotic plea for applause.

Now, their issue is ANYTHING but lost.  The team owners, who remained silent and in hiding on the issue were forced to come out in SUPPORT of the kneelers' concerns.  On National TV.

People have been forced to think about this, and choose a position, going much further than just being "struck" by the kneelers' issues or acts, and in many cases expending big mental bandwith and energy either taking a position on one side or the other, or splitting hairs to come up with something that respects concerns on both sides of the issue (e.g., Jerry Jones, other politicians, the press, fans in and out of stadiums, people who previously couldn't care less about football).

The issue the kneelers wanted addressed is being addressed FULLY in ways it would not have been prior to Trump's little narcissistic screed.

Let's not make any mistake about it. . .