Posted on 09/25/2017 12:57:17 PM PDT by Red Badger
PHOENIX (105.3 THE FAN) – There is no easy answer. But In the wake of President Donald Trump calling for the firing of NFL players who opt for peaceful protest during the National Anthem, the Dallas Cowboys are at work crafting a singular answer.
“Our statement,’’ one team leader told me on the eve of tonight’s nationally-televised Cowboys-at-Cardinals game, “will be a statement of unity.’’
I’ve spoken to seven Cowboys leaders on the subject in the last 48 hours and come away with a handful of conclusions that the Cowboys – from owner Jerry Jones and his family to the players in the locker room – find important.
*There are certainly those in the organization offended by Trump saying, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b— off the field right now?’ Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’’
Those offended include some individuals who may have supported, and still support, the president.
*There are certainly those who have sided with Colin Kaepernick from the start, in his efforts meant to bring attention to institutionalized mistreatment of people of color.
*At the same time, the Cowboys Leadership Council, made up of about 14 players, has long taken the position that “unity’’ and “positivity’’ are the themes that bond the football team … and themes that can bond beyond.
*The Leadership Council has engaged with the Jones family and its members, and now the rest of the locker room, are aware of Jerry’s views here, views he stated clearly on Aug. 22 on 105.3 The Fan with “Shan & RJ’’:
“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,” Jones said. “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.”
*That in no way should be construed as Jones having “ordered’’ his players to stand, or having issued an “or-else’’ edict. (Worth noting: I don’t dismiss the idea of a player interpreting the combined wishes of Jones and the Leadership Council as an “or-else edict,’’ even though that’s not their intent.) Jones has clearly urged his players to use this moment to remain “respectful’’ … and it’s been made clear to me that his players are comfortable with that as long as “unity’’ is still expressed.
*That doesn’t mean Dallas feels the need to be in lock-step with the rest of the league. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFLPA and the 28 teams that played Sunday largely seemed on the same page regarding their employees/citizens’ right to peaceful protest. Goodell’s keyword-characterization of Trump’s attack on the NFL: “Divisive.” The Cowboys’ position, as is their right, will be their own — their collective own.
*I’m told the players have discussed the locking of arms during the Anthem.
*Numerous people involved tell me that the Joneses’ urging for a “respectful’’ Anthem moment comes with an offer: At any other time, at any other place, management is available to support a player’s cause. This falls in line with Jerry Jones’ well-chronicled “grandfatherly’’ backing of his players on a personal level.
*“We have an approach that we believe in,” coach Jason Garrett said the other day, a statement that some interpreted to be a non-statement but that in fact might be quite revealing as to the team’s plans – because the “approach’’ is to remain bonded, no matter what.
*Tonight, though it’s not the team’s plan, it’s possible a Cowboys player will do the same. If that happens, he will be within his rights, as will any player or person who chooses to keep his views out of the spotlight.
*The Cowboys players obviously know the general view espoused by Jones, who (contrary to anyone’s inflammatory claim) has not issued a directive but has voiced a perspective – which, of course, is within his right. He has, in fact, (contrary to anyone’s inflammatory claim) stated his perspective in the same thoughtful manner that players are stating theirs.
The owner has that right.
The players have that right.
Tonight, their wish is to put those rights on display … together.
Is that committee to cover up all the crimes the players commit between games?
Fire those who will not honor our country and our flag. People fought so that you have the freedom to salute that flag.
Make us proud, Cowboys. Don’t go left on us.
I bet Dallas won’t wear their support the blue stuff in defiance.
No matter. We watched four games last year. Won’t watch any this year. Won’t search stats. Won’t click on NFL.com or espn.com for scores.
You got it. Eff the nfl
Superior knowledge? just because I do not use hyperbole in my posts just makes me a bit more reasonable that some squids.
In fact, I see those who continue to watch and support NFL as traitors, aiding and abetting these ungrateful overpaid, anti-American SOB’s.
My personal show of “unity” is to not watch the game, along with all the others that I haven’t watched this season.
Don’t forget, that the Cowboys were one of the teams that briefly had Michael Sam on their roster.
As much as I like the “Boys, I think I will watch Forged in Fire instead.
As much as I like the “Boys, I think I will watch Forged in Fire instead.
Are the Cowboy's "America's Team" or not?
We shall see.
As for me, and speaking as a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan, I am done with both the team and the NFL until such time as the inmates stop running the asylum.
If these un-American fools want to destroy their entertainmen product and ultimately drive their own salaries down, they can do that.
But make no mistake. The "divisive" ones are the ones who are not respecting the Flag and the National Anthem.
The Miami Dolphins and the NFL can go to Hell, as far as I'm concerned. They've jumped the shark, and until a semblance of respect and discipline is restored to the league, I will choose love of country over my enthusiasm for an entertainment product every time.
I will not watch any NFL games or purchase NFL gear (except perhaps for that Steelers player who is an Army Ranger, and other such heroes), and—absent an unequivocal repudiation of the players' shameful behavior by each advertiser—I will not support the NFL's sponsors or advertisers either. And I know that my sentiments are shared with millions of soon-to-be-former NFL fans. Enough is enough...
Is the only acceptable UNITY to me. Anything less is BS. Choose carefully boys...
I’m hoping and waiting for the revenue to take a precipitous drop. When it impacts the bottom line, they’ll find the courage to take a “principled” position on the issue. However, at that point, it’ll be too late and the small-market teams will be the first to feel the pain.
Dancing with the Stars looks good......................
America you are in fact placing your love of football above that sentiment
If I let my life be dictated by what other people do and how they acted, that would not be much of a life.
Let them do their protest this IS a free country and you do not have to agree with them, I certainly do not, but I have found people usually get what they deserve due to their actions and I am not going to deny my joy of watching the Cowboys be dictated by the actions of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dude, WTF are you talking about? Standing for the anthem isn't viewed as racist except for a few morons. And that number will ultimately dwindle.
You're buying into a fake news Media narrative which exists only in their little bubble world.
Standing for the anthem is racist? Balderdash...
You'll see. I won't be watching. I would have been watching. But things have changed.
For me (Charley Conerly quarterbacked the Giants in the first game I attended.) Goodell has to go. So do the Maras, and other owners who publicly supported him. So do the Chris Collingsworths and other schmucks who echoed the NFL Party Line.
Then maybe I'll start watching again. But for now I'm looking forward to the Army-Navy Game.
ML/NJ
through his remarks about Trayvon Martin easily could have looked like his son had he had one,...
through his disgusting handling of the police assassinations of 2016.....
Obama was,.. is, ..and always will be the ultimate race-baiting #$%$....
His lasting legacy will be setting the stage for a race war....
which these guys are now carrying on for him.....
Fans, listen up. We are ultimately in control. We do not need Roger Goodell, nor the owners, nor the players. All we need to do is boycott the stadiums, the tv broadcasts, and the sponsors in numbers never before seen. If we do, then we prevail, and this kind of insanity in professional sports will never happen again.
Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country. Just listen to your common sense, and do the right thing.
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