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Beyond Colin Kaepernick, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have been the most discussed topics in the NFL when it comes to protesting and kneeling during the national anthem.
Jones has made his opinions vocal about kneeling during the anthem over the years. Back in 2018, he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the team’s policy was to “stand during the anthem, toe on the line,” but as opinions change over time, Jones’ stance on this matter has seemed to shift.
Earlier this month, Jones held a video conference with coach Mike McCarthy and team COO Stephen Jones and among many things, spoke about standing and kneeling during the national anthem.
“These are very sensitive times. I have nothing to prove as far as where I’m standing with the flag and where the Cowboys stand, Jones said. “I have nothing to prove regarding my players and my support of our players. What I do want to show and want us all to be a part of is a word called grace. Grace. Not only grace in our actions but grace in our understanding of where they’re coming from … I’m going to have grace. I’ve had grace. Many of you have written and criticized me for having too much grace and understanding regarding our players, and I probably have. And I’m going to have grace regarding the people that are sensitive about our flag.”
Fast forward a couple of weeks since the conference call and it appears that Jones has a plan in mind on how he and the Cowboys will handle kneeling during the anthem and that plan may be a copy of what we saw the team do in 2017.
Jones and the Cowboys elected to kneel before the anthem was played ahead of their matchup with the Cardinals back in 2017 then stood for the actual playing of the anthem in unison.
What #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 in DFW about seeking a compromise on peaceful protest that would be similar to the team kneeling together before the anthem vs. the Cardinals in 2017, then standing in unison during the anthem. Sounds like he’s reaching for a 2017 redux. pic.twitter.com/pprGXcSChU
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) August 25, 2020
As we all know, it’s not 2017. Things have happened, times have changed, and it’s more than likely we see more players stand or kneel for what they believe in regardless of what the team owner, or anyone for that matter, suggests.