Cowboys RB Darren McFadden said that team Owner Jerry Jones has not "forced players to stand" during the national anthem, according to Lorenzo Reyes of USA TODAY. McFadden in an interview with NBC Sports Radio on Wednesday said, "For us as a team, that's something that we take pride in, so you know we want to go out there and do it the right way and just handle ourselves like we should." When asked directly if Jones had instructed the team to honor the anthem, McFadden said, "He hasn't come in and said that to us personally" (USATODAY.com, 8/24). Jones on Tuesday during his weekly spot on KRLD-FM indicated that he is "'strongly' against the idea of protesting the national anthem." Jones: "I just feel so strongly that the act of recognizing the flag is a salute to our country and all of the people that have sacrificed so that we can have the liberties we have. I feel very strongly that everyone should save that moment for the recognition of the flag in a positive way, so I like the way the Cowboys do it" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/25). In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington noted Jones has "promised big-time retribution" if a Cowboys player does not stand for the anthem. Sherrington: "Funny to me that Jerry has taken such a stand on this but not domestic violence, etc. And by that I mean when has he ever publicly stated, with as much conviction, that violence toward women will not be tolerated? Seems to me that Jerry's just playing to the ticket-buying crowd here" (DALLASNEWS.com, 8/23).
PLAYERS WEIGH PROTESTS: In Dallas, David Moore notes Cowboys WR Dez Bryant "wants everyone to know he's not critical of players who choose to protest by refusing to stand for the anthem." He also does not want to be "judged for his choice to stand or be labeled as an athlete who doesn't care about social issues." Bryant said of demonstrating during the anthem, "Hell no, I'm not doing none of that." He said of players that do protest, "Their beliefs are their beliefs, and I'm not saying they're wrong because they're feeling a certain way. They're supposed to. ... I'm just saying OK, I want to lead by example by doing positive. I'm not saying what they're doing is wrong. I just have my ways of going about things." (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/25). Meanwhile, in Denver, Mark Kiszla notes Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas "replied with a wary eye over his shoulder" for Exec VP/Football Operations & GM John Elway when "asked if he had considered taking part" in a protest during the anthem. He said, "From being here a long time, I know Mr. Elway doesn’t like those type of things" (DENVER POST, 8/25).
BROWNS' PROTEST MAKES IMPRESSION: In DC, Master Tesfatsion writes the Browns’ protest last week that included 17 players "stood in contrast to the scenes this preseason on many sidelines, where anthem displays have been confined to a modest group of players on just a handful of teams." Browns CB Jason McCourty said, "That just kind of happened organically, and it came to fruition on game day." He said that ideas "bounced back and forth during the conversation as they considered the best way to convey a message, especially in the aftermath of the events in Charlottesville." They agreed that prayer "would be the focal point of their demonstration" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/25). Browns TE Seth DeValve during that protest became the first white player to take a knee. Broncos LB Brandon Marshall said, "I’m not sure if he’s getting backlash, but I like his reasons behind it. He said he’s going to be raising kids that don’t look like him. He’s married to a black woman. So to see him do that, I think it’s great. It’ll be great for the cause." Marshall, who took a knee last season during the anthem, said the "backlash doesn’t bother me." Marshall: "At first it was overwhelming last year. But you get used to it." He added, "People aren’t scared of that anymore. They’re not scared of what the team might say or what the fans or people might say" (DENVER POST, 8/25).
