Jerry Jones Threatens To Bench Players That Disrespect Flag
Two weeks ago, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys players and coaches took a knee before the national anthem as a show of solidarity and unity after President Trump made some disparaging remarks about NFL players.
After the team’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, Jones said all the Dallas players will stand for the national anthem, and those that don’t will be benched.
“If there’s anything that is disrespectful to the flag, then we will not play,” Jones said. “Understand? We will not … if we are disrespecting the flag, then we will not play. Period.”
According to CBS Sports, defensive ends Damontre Moore and David Irving raised their fists at the end of the national anthem before the game against the Packers. Jones said after the game that he was unaware of their actions.
“We as a team are very much on the page together,” Jones said. “We made our expression. I’m very supportive of the team, but under no circumstances will the Dallas Cowboys — I don’t care what happens — under no circumstances will we as an organization, coaches, players, not support and stand and recognize and honor the flag. Period.”
On Monday, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith issued a statement addressing the situation.
Smith said he met with team owners last week and commissioner Goodell and Giants owner John Mara, who is the chairman of the NFL management council, gave him assurances the owners would “respect the Constitutional rights of our members without retribution.” Smith also said that “no player is disrespecting our country or our flag” by protesting during the national anthem.
Even though the players that have taken a knee have said on numerous occasions that they aren’t disrespecting the flag, but trying to call attention to police brutality and racism, Jones said it is all about the perception.
“If it comes between the impression or the perception that we’re not standing together, supporting each other or the perception that we’re disrespecting the flag, the perception that we’re not together will be secondary to not respecting the flag,” Jones said. “Respecting the flag is first.”