Not even one in four American adults polled by ESPN support Toni Smith when she protests by refusing to face the U.S. flag during the national anthem before her games for Manhattanville College.

In the poll of 601 American adults commissioned by ESPN and conducted by Markitecture of Norwalk, Conn., only 22 percent said they supported the actions of the Division III player.

Only one in 10 adults knew of Toni Smith and her protests without being aided by the pollsters. Once informed of her protests, 78 percent did not support her actions.

Smith, a sociology major, released a 250-word statement earlier this season outlining the reasons for her protest, citing "the inequalities that are embedded into the American system'' and "the war America will soon be entering.''

Some 47 percent of those polled say she should not be allowed to represent Manhattanville College while conducting her protests, but only 36 percent indicated she should be suspended from the women's basketball squad.

Also, some 60 percent feel that sporting events are not the proper place for political protests.

With 601 adults polled, there is a 5 percent margin of error in the results of the poll.