On Sept. 25, 2017, the Dallas Cowboys, led by owner Jerry Jones, center, took a knee prior to the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz. Now he says players who “disrespect the flag” won’t play.
Matt York/AP
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Matt York/AP
Two weeks ago he locked arms and knelt with his players during the national anthem, but now Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says players who “disrespect the flag,” won’t take the field.
“…If there is anything that is disrespectful to the flag then we will not play,” Jones said Sunday night, according to The Dallas Morning News. “You understand? If we are disrespecting the flag then we won’t play. Period.” Jones did not specify what he meant by disrespect.
The players’ union responded on Monday, with executive director DeMaurice Smith saying Jones’ comments contradicted those of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“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. We look forward to continuing our talks with them on this very issue.”
Good morning. My statement. pic.twitter.com/l7KXZrZi2o
— DeMaurice Smith (@DeSmithNFLPA) October 9, 2017
Last season San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the national anthem to protest of police shootings of people in the black community. His actions drew widespread criticism that he was anti-American. Kaepernick, now a free agent, has yet to be picked up by another team.
Other players joined him in taking a knee, and late last month during a speech in Alabama President Trump said that owners should fire the players who protest, igniting a national firestorm.
On Monday night, Trump tweeted support for Jones:
A big salute to Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who will BENCH players who disrespect our Flag.”Stand for Anthem or sit for game!”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2017
ESPN’s Jemele Hill responded to Jones’ statement with several tweets suggesting fans boycott the team’s advertisers.
Don’t ask Dak, Dez & other Cowboys players to protest. A more powerful statement is if you stop watching and buying their merchandise.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
The sports network responded with a two-week suspension for Hill, calling it the second violation of the company’s social media guidelines. Last month the network said that tweets Hill made calling Trump a white supremacist were inappropriate.
ESPN’s Statement on Jemele Hill: pic.twitter.com/JkVoBVz7lv
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 9, 2017