As attendance and TV ratings for the NFL decline week by week due to players protesting the flag, Jerry Jones is saying what 31 other team owners refuse to.
“There is no question the league is suffering negative effects from these protests,” Jones told reporters today.
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While there are still protests taking place on the Cowboys sideline, Jones has at least curtailed any attempts to organize kneeling or other disrespectful actions during the national anthem itself.
More from ESPN:
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones’ concerns about the protests during the national anthem are not just about what is good for his team but what is good for the NFL.
“There is no question the league is suffering negative effects from these protests,” Jones said.
Two weeks ago Jones said if any of his players “disrespect the flag,” during the national anthem that they would be benched. At a league meeting in New York, owners and players had open dialogue about the protests but no change was made to the league’s policy that does not mandate players to stand during the anthem.
The Cowboys have not had a player protest during the national anthem. On Sunday, defensive end David Irving briefly raised his fist at the end of the anthem, like he had Oct. 8 against the Green Bay Packers.
The NFL’s issue with players protesting during the national anthem dominated the conversation at the league owners meetings to the point that other league business, including Roger Goodell’s extension, has been delayed.
“I know that he was very deliberate during the anthem and of course that’s the issue with me,” Jones said after the Cowboys’ 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers. “I’m very proud of the way they all handled themselves.”
Irving stood during the anthem with a fist over his heart. He quickly raised his fist at the end. Damontre Moore, who raised his fist at the end of the anthem against the Packers as well, did not raise his fist Sunday. Instead he gave a quick salute.
Irving said, “I wouldn’t want to disrespect the anthem; wait until it’s over.”
Why is Jones the only NFL owner calling a spade a spade?
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