The empty purple seats at M&T Bank Stadium as the Ravens battled for a playoff spot on Sunday capped a major, and uncharted, hurdle the team faced this season: Getting fans to come to games.
Despite reported attendance being down just 0.7 percent from 2016, there were clearly empty seats throughout the season, even as the Ravens were contending for the postseason through literally the final minute of the season. Posts on social media have shown a number of fans voicing displeasure over members of the team kneeling during a game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team's blow-out loss of 44-7 didn't help.
Joseph Murphy, a season-ticket holder for the Ravens, said he immediately went to sell his personal seat license online after the protests. He said he has yet to receive an offer, despite listing them for $2,000 less than what he initially paid.
