Yep. Would have remained small and died out. Broadcasts weren't even covering the national anthem anymore.
Which, we all might remember it was once routine for them to skip broadcasting the pregame ceremonies entirely (other than playoff games), until Kaepernick brought attention to it with his little stunt. Now we see the ceremonies all the time. Which really, you could look at it as a good thing in that way. We can all thank Kaep, then Trump, for us getting to see the opening ceremonies pretty much every game now!