Papa John’s Apologizes For Blaming NFL Protests For Dropping Sales

Papa John’s has officially apologized for comments CEO John Schnatter recently made in which he blamed the wave of NFL players’ national anthem protests for the pizza company’s decline in sales.

Papa John’s Pizza sales decline news

Schnatter said on Nov. 1 that “NFL leadership has hurt Papa John’s shareholders” and that the protests “should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago.”

Here is the apology statement Papa John’s released Tuesday:

“The statements made on our earnings call were describing the factors that impact our business and we sincerely apologize to anyone that thought they were divisive. That definitely was not our intention. We believe in the right to protest inequality and support the players’ movement to create a new platform for change. We also believe together, as Americans, we should honor our anthem. There is a way to do both.”

“We will work with the players and league to find a positive way forward. Open to ideas from all…”

Schnatter — who often appears in the company’s commercials alongside notable celebrities like Peyton Manning — is known to be a friend of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jones recently threatened to sue the NFL over current contract discussions with commissioner Roger Goodell. Jones and President Donald Trump, among others, have lambasted the anthem protests.

Groups of neo-Nazis and other white supremacists recently caused a stir by claiming Papa John’s as their official pizza. The company released another statement saying it refuses to sell pizza to this type of customers. Comedian Stephen Colbert commented on this news:

Papa John’s stock has dropped by nearly 13 percent since Schnatter’s remarks.

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 31: John H. Schnatter, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Papa John’s International, Inc. rings the NASDAQ Opening Bell at NASDAQ MarketSite on January 31, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)