The Denver Broncos’ famously loyal fan base showed signs of splintering along political lines Monday as fans stampeded social media and the Broncos’ phone lines to register disgust with 32 players’ decision to take a knee during the national anthem before Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

“They don’t have the right to express themselves freely when people died for (them),” said Leonard Rowe, 79, of Denver, an Army Corps of Engineers veteran who served in Korea in the early 1960s. “I’m not going to any more games after this whole situation, and as far as I’m concerned, the Broncos and the whole NFL can go to hell.”

“Time to turn the TV off for a bit!” wrote Denver Twitter user Zach Fischer, in response to a Denver Post article about the protest during the national anthem at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y. “It falls on us fans to make a stand as well for what is right.”

Echoing debates across the country, Broncos fans voiced both disappointment and support for using nationally televised games to protest President Donald Trump’s recent comments urging team owners to fire any player who “disrespects our flag.”

“I’m done!” Denver resident Jim Rudy, whose military-veteran father has held Broncos season tickets since 1969, said in a phone call to The Post. “Go Raiders!”

A Broncos fan for 40 years, today was the saddest. Not because we lost, but because we lost our dignity before it even started. — Brian Frick (@brianfrick7) September 25, 2017

Jerry Lauritzen, a disabled Air Force veteran who lives in Thornton, took down the Broncos flags outside his house after switching off Sunday’s game in anger, according to a report from KCNC-Channel 4. Lauritzen has been collecting Broncos memorabilia since 1964, but plans to donate all of his jerseys, coats and other gear to a used clothing store.

“The Broncos will see a 30 percent decline in sales and support over the next several weeks, due to their unpatriotic and embarrassing antics Sunday in Buffalo,” predicted reader Randy Stewart in a message to The Post’s tip line.

“We were season ticket holders for years,” wrote Greeley resident Linda Winter on Twitter. “Kneelers are an embarrassment. What’s wrong with Elway?”

Talk of boycotts was common on Facebook and Twitter on Monday, with some fans asserting the best way to send a message to the Broncos’ head office is by hurting their bottom line.

“I’ve been trying to get through to (Broncos general manager John) Elway, and they won’t even give you his line because there’s so many people calling, ” Rowe said. “It’s up to the owners to address this. And if they don’t put it together, nobody’s going to go to the games and their source of revenue will get cut off.”

Broncos officials said Monday night that out of 22,000 season-ticket holders representing a little more than 70,000 seats, none have asked for a refund, according to the team’s ticket office.

“We have received calls and emails from fans expressing many different viewpoints on the events of the last few days around the country,” said Patrick Smyth, the Broncos’ executive vice president of public and community relations. “We appreciate the feedback and have responded to as many of them as possible.”

On top of that, a KOAA-5 report that Broncos star Von Miller had lost his Phil Long Ford endorsement deal Monday because of the protests was disputed by the dealership.

Ratings for Sunday’s game were up compared with the previous Broncos game, a Cowboys matchup that Denver won Sept. 17. That game drew a 36.6 rating with a 67 share on Fox in Week 2 of the NFL season, according to CBS Sports. The Broncos-Bills game Sunday drew a 37.7 rating with a 70 share on KCNC-Channel 4.

A rating point represents 1 percent of the total number of households with televisions; share is the percentage of TV sets in use at a particular time. Related Articles September 24, 2017 Von Miller among 32 Broncos players who take a knee for national anthem

September 25, 2017 Trump relishes feud with the NFL, reviving issue with tweets

September 25, 2017 Von Miller didn’t lose Phil Long Ford endorsement deal

Preliminary ratings for NFL games televised by CBS on Sunday were up 4 percent vs. Week 3 of last year, according to a tweet from ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell. The CBS pregame show had its highest viewership in seven years, he added.

Nevermind those ratings bumps, some Colorado fans said. They’re finished with the Broncos for good, and there’s no going back.

“I’ve always thought the Broncos were sheep,” Commerce City resident Michael Van Metre wrote on Twitter, identifying himself as an Army veteran who served from 1969-75. “But never figured they’d prove it to fans.”

For others, the fallout from the protests is an opportunity to score coveted tickets to games at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

“Any NFL Bronco season ticket holders who are turning their backs on them … feel free to send me your season tickets,” wrote Jennifer Breitenstein Giebel on Facebook, in response to a Mark Kiszla column in The Denver Post in support of the players’ protest. “I would be a kind neighbor and take this tremendous burden off your hands. It is an extremely difficult task to watch a silent protest but I can handle it for you. Thanks in advance.”

More reactions:

I hope more people leave so I can finally get season tickets. Thanks trump. About the only time I'll thank you — SMcC (@michaelstevenmc) September 25, 2017

I took my jersey off today I am going to burn it they lost many Broncos fans today. I am a mother of a fallen soldier.

You disgust me — Leslie Recio (@leslielr61) September 24, 2017

https://twitter.com/TrevorCofer/status/912106184387235840

This proves that I did the right thing. I didn't watch it and will not watch the Broncos or any other NFL product. — Wesley Dorries (@DorriesWesley) September 24, 2017