Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones on Monday night made sure the media "remained on the field -- directly in front of him and his team" -- when he joined players and coaches kneeling before the national anthem prior to the team's game against the Cardinals, according to Andy Jacobsohn of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Personnel at Univ. of Phoenix Stadium "tried to remove the media from the field" as the Cowboys "formed a line along the yardage markers, with Jones near the middle." Jones "motioned to the photographers to get back to their desired position and the media were able to stay." Jacobsohn: "In the era of 'photos or video or it didn't happen' it's no surprise that Jerry Jones of all people wanted his team's orchestrated display of unity to be broadcast in as many ways as possible, knowing full well it was already being seen" on "Monday Night Football" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/29). In Dallas, David Moore writes Jones with the pre-anthem display "found a way for his franchise to acknowledge this volatile public debate without becoming collateral damage." He "found a path that didn't appease all of his constituencies, but minimized the potential fallout." Jones' charge is to "broaden his audience, not splinter it by taking sides in the divisive issues of the day" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/29).
LOST NARRATIVE: In DC, Thom Loverro writes last weekend "turned into an NFL marketing campaign, with owners locked in arms with players in various positions on the sidelines." Loverro wonders if Jones was really "on his knees because he believes" in what Colin Kaepernick initially began protesting last season (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/29). ESPN’s Bomani Jones said, "Jerry Jones and company have hijacked what it was they were doing in the first place and now it’s just completely pointless.” The point Jones "made is, ‘Y’all going to get out here and y’all going to stand for this anthem no matter what. We’ll play along with your little demonstration beforehand, but you’re going to do what we say for this national anthem,’ at which point it’s fair to ask the question, ‘What’s the point?’” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 9/29).
