National anthem protest is still one of the hottest topics in the NFL, and with the new season approaching, reporting on that topic is definitely going to intensify. Among the teams that got a lot of the heat were the Dallas Cowboys and the fact that they have America’s Team nickname certainly wasn’t in line with their actions.
Just a couple of days ago, Jerry Jones, owner of the team said that their “policy is you stand during the anthem, toe on the line.” This was pretty much clear, and it means that all players need to stand for the national anthem. Soon after that, Stephen Jones, executive vice president and director of player personnel of the franchise was asked about that statement and what it means.
In an interview with KTCK 96.7 FM, Stephen Jones was asked if he thinks that the players will follow the rule and what is required from them on this, he answered: “If they want to be a Dallas Cowboy, yes.”
This is as clear as it can get meaning that every player not respecting this rule will be punished. We are not sure what punishment would be, but it would probably mean the termination of the team member from the roster.
About a week ago, a joint statement of the NFL and NFL Players Association was issued, and that came as a part of a temporary join agreement. In short, it goes like this “No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing.” This statement was conveyed after The Associated Press delivered a document in which Miami Dolphins officials suggested that anthem protests could get players suspended.
“We certainly are supportive of them when they have their personal issues or their personal things that they want to pursue,” Stephen Jones also said. “And we’ll help them pursue them on Tuesdays. But when you’re wearing the Dallas Cowboy uniform and a Dallas Cowboy helmet and you’re working for the Dallas Cowboys, you check the ‘I’ and the ‘me’ at the door and you’re a part of a team. There’s bright lines in terms of our organization.”
The NFL didn’t have any rules regarding the national anthem and how the players should conduct themselves during the anthem. It is clear that league and its officials are struggling to prepare a new policy and rule so that all sides would be happy with it. On the other hand, President Donald Trump launched another attack suggesting that players who kneel shouldn’t receive the paychecks and most definitely they need to be benched immediately.
