Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones in the past has insisted the players should stand for the anthemGETTY IMAGES
The Cowboys have made no decision on what they will do regarding the national anthem when they open the regular season in L.A. against the Rams, and as discussions continue, several players said that "whatever the response, the club needs to be unified and do it as a group to give their statement more power," according to David Moore of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott said that he "believes it’s a matter of individual conviction" and that each player "should respond the way he sees fit." Prescott: “We heard [Cowboys Owner Jerry] Jones talk about grace and sharing grace and having grace with players in what they want to do." He added, “If I had it my way, that’s exactly what we’d do is express ourselves individually but love and support one another collectively." Moore notes the anthem is a "bigger issue for the Cowboys than other teams because Jones has been adamant publicly -- and repeatedly -- that his players and coaches stand." That is why "so much focus has been put on what the Cowboys will do in the opener" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/3).
TIME WILL TELL: In Ft. Worth, Clarence Hill Jr. notes Jones has "outlawed the players from doing anything considered disrespectful of the flag in the past." And while Jones "still believes the players should stand for the anthem," he has "seemingly softened his stance in light of George Floyd’s death." Jones has "allowed that his goal is to find a compromise, with the players possibly kneeling before the anthem and standing during it with the focus of making a unified demonstration as a team." No Cowboys player has "ever taken a knee in protest of social justice and police brutality during the national anthem" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/3).
PRESCOTT ON PLAYER ACTIVISM: USA TODAY's Jori Epstein notes Prescott was "careful to note that he doesn’t want to comment immediately on each instance of police brutality or discrimination." He said, “Just 'cause we’re popular doesn’t mean that we’re politicians. So I think we all need to be better at that -- at educating ourselves and figuring out exactly what it is we can do and the particular role we can play within our communities and then further that.” Prescott: "I think, if anything, you’ll just see guys expressing themselves, and more so from that you're going to see people supporting one another and loving one another" (USA TODAY, 9/3).
