NATIONWIDE – Papa John’s pizza says the NFL’s national anthem controversy is taking a slice out of their sales and profit forecasts.

Papa John’s founder and CEO John Schnatter took direct aim at Commissioner Roger Goodell’s handling of some player’s kneeling during the anthem to protest police violence.

Goodell and team owners decided last month not to force players to stand during the anthem, which caused Schnatter to accuse Goodell of poor leadership.

NFL ratings have dropped and it may be due to the controversy but that’s hardly the only cause for a drop in the pizza chain’s sales.

Their stock is down 24 percent this year, while competitors like Domino’s have been performing well.