Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones is "pleased" that none of his team's players or coaches have protested the National Anthem and "disappointed in those who have" from other teams, according to Jon Machota of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The Cowboys "all stood" while the anthem played during their season opener on Sunday. Jones, appearing yesterday on Dallas-based KRLD-FM's "Shan & RJ" show, said, "I got to give a big pat on the back to our entire team, our coaching staff, our entire organization. We strongly, strongly support the flag." He added, "The forum of the NFL and the forum on television is a very significant thing. I'm for it being used in every way we can to support the great, great contributors in our society and that's people that have supported America, the flag, and there's no reason not to go all out right there. For anybody to use parts of that visibility to do otherwise is really disappointing" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/14). Jones added that he was "pleased TV coverage was able to capture the Cowboys' united salute to the stars and stripes" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/14). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio noted with no Cowboys players choosing to protest the Anthem, Jones' comments will "have no relevance to any of the decisions made by the team." If or when a Cowboys player "decides to sit or kneel, things could get very interesting" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 9/13).
ACTING ON ACTIONS: In Denver, Nicki Jhabvala reports Broncos LB Brandon Marshall, who took a knee during the Week 1 game against the Panthers, yesterday met with Denver Chief of Police Robert White "for nearly an hour inside the Denver police administration building." Marshall asked White "questions about local law enforcement, about recent incidents of police brutality nationwide, about officer-training methods, and about how, why and when police officers do what they do." White "provided as many answers as he could." He then "reciprocated Marshall's list of questions with a list of suggestions, specifically ways Marshall can work with the police department to effect change and fight racial injustices in local communities and beyond." The meeting was the "first step after Marshall's well-publicized kneel-down" (DENVER POST, 9/14). In West Palm Beach, Hal Habib reports Dolphins S Michael Thomas -- one of the four team members to kneel during the Week 1 game against the Seahawks -- yesterday addressed a "gathering of elementary school students" and shared the stage with "nine officers from the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Department." After Thomas "finished speaking, he turned, went down the line shaking each officer's hand, then retreated to the mayor's office to continue dialogue with police over their involvement in that community." Thomas said that players will "continue their fight on Sundays, with all signs pointing to the movement gathering steam." Thomas: "I'm pretty sure there will be more people" (PALM BEACH POST, 9/14).
