The UT/Texas Tribune poll surveyed 1,200 registered voters, but not everyone is convinced.
SportsTalk 790's Greg Koch -- a member of the Green Bay Packers' hall of fame -- is skeptical.
"You can't take 1,200 voters of any cross section and say whatever that people decide that's the way it is; that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of."
Koch says the 24-7 news cycle is creating a false impression of the players.
"Now it's just spread out all over the news to where everybody thinks that NFL players are nothing but thugs and that's just so contrary to the case I can't even begin to explain it."
However, Koch says he's tired of player protests; he says they've done that and it's time to move on.
"I'm sick of the kneeling; I'm sick of players kneeling and thinking that -- if players have to tell you what they're protesting they're not protesting very well because they go 'oh we're not disrespecting the flag, we're not disrespecting the military,' well that's the first thing people think. What's your end game? You've done it now, are you gonna do it from now on?"
The poll found 47% with an unfavorable opinion and just 26% with a favorable view of the NFL.