Following Sunday’s game, Oct 8, 2017, against the Green Bay Packers, NFL Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated that any player disrespecting the flag will not play. This comes after the players and their owner kneeled during national anthem two weeks ago in Arizona.
The recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee is the first NFL owner to make public claims on where he stands on this current issue. Many assume that Jones declared this because of the growing pressure from President Trump as well as fans.
After the national anthem, two Cowboys players, David Irving and Damontre Moore, were seen raising their fists. The raising of the fist symbolizes solidarity and support, as well as, unity, strength, and resistance. It seems as though many people have taken offense to the form of protest.
In response to his players raising their fists, Jones told reporters: “I am not aware of that. But if you saw it, then you saw it. But we as a team are very much on the page together.” He added that no one working for The Cowboys organization will be allowed to disrespect the flag.
Jones’ strong admonishment about disrespecting the flag took place a few days after President Trump made his comments about firing players who kneel during the national anthem. The NFL has refused to put out a statement in regards to Jerry Jones’s comments.
Executive Director of the NFL Players Association expressed his hopes: “I look forward to the day when everyone in management can unite and truly embrace and articulate what the flag stands for, liberty and justice for all, instead of some of them just talking about standing.”
Written by Parris Winfrey
Edited by Cathy Milne
Sources:
NFL: Jerry Jones: Players who disrespect flag won’t play
Dallas News: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: Any player who is ‘disrespectful to the flag’ won’t be allowed to play
Minnesota Public Radio News: Cowboys owner draws sharp response from NFL players’ union
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Nic. Hernandez’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License