Getty Image
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has had to answer a lot of uncomfortable questions over the last week. Jones has been at the center of controversy after a Washington Post story revealed a photograph of him at the site of a rally in 1957 blocking African American students from entering an Arkansas public school.
Jones was a student at the high school at the time, though it’s unknown whether or not he was actually participating in the rally. He has acknowledged that it is him in the photograph but denies any involvement in preventing students from entering the school.
The story appeared to die down after a few days in the news cycle. But it was brought back to life recently by NBA superstar LeBron James. James brought up the photograph in a postgame media conference. He asked reporters why they questioned him about Kyrie Irving’s antisemitism, but not Jones’ photograph.
Of course, the simple answer is that Irving is his friend and former teammate. While Jones, on the other hand, is an owner in an entirely different spot. But alas…
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has since offered his response to James. Though he did so in a much more diplomatic manner. Now Jones himself is weighing in.
Jerry Jones Offer Non-Answer Response To Question About LeBron James
Jones was asked about James’ comments on the K&C Masterpiece Show Friday on local radio station 105.3 The Fan. His response dodged the issue slightly, while also offering praise for the NBA superstar.
“First of all, you have to hear me say how much I think of LeBron,” Jones said during his regularly scheduled radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan. “I don’t know of anybody that I respect more. I don’t know of anybody that has taken every opportunity he’s had and maximized it. Not only [has he been] a great ambassador for the sport, he has taken sports, he has taken his venues, and used those platforms.”
…
“I want to be sure that you know where I’m coming from,” Jones said. “It made buttons pop off my vest, so to speak, when he would talk about how much of a Cowboy fan he was. He would’ve made a great tight end. That doesn’t change. There’s nothing about any of that changes. And I did hear what he had to say.
“Certainly, he has influence, and just because of all of the above. His accomplishments, how he’s utilized his sport and how he’s utilized his platform. How we have done it. He has enhanced basketball, he’s made a lot of people a lot of money. I hope I have too.” – via Yahoo
James has not yet followed up on his comments, but it seems likely he may not do so after Jones’ praise. Though it’s hard to see him ever returning to his Cowboys fan roots.