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 tonights nationally-televised Cowboys-at-Cardinals game, will be a statement of unity.
Ive 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, Wouldnt 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! Hes fired. Hes 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 Jerrys 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 dont dismiss the idea of a player interpreting the combined wishes of Jones and the Leadership Council as an or-else edict, even though thats not their intent.) Jones has clearly urged his players to use this moment to remain respectful and its been made clear to me that his players are comfortable with that as long as unity is still expressed.
*That doesnt 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. Goodells keyword-characterization of Trumps attack on the NFL: Divisive. The Cowboys position, as is their right, will be their own their collective own.
*Im 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 players 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 teams plans because the approach is to remain bonded, no matter what.
*Tonight, though its not the teams plan, its 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 anyones 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 anyones 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.
If they lock arms isn’t that disrespectful? They will not have their right arm free to place their hand over their heart.
Ditto
>Before not during anthem<
According to Hannity, he got up for the anthem, accompanied by a whopping 2 players.
My tag line says what I think.
Muhammad Ali said about his impression of Africa after returning to America after his fight in Zaire against George Foreman :......Thank God my granddaddy got on that boat.....
All I can say about that “before Anthem” nonsense is..Don’t pee on my feet and tell me it’s only water!
So the FR Cowboy fans that are screaming (posting all-caps) that Cowboys had hand over hearts were wrong...Instead they linked arms...
And Jones did not say he would fire anyone kneeling.
The American public has spent more than $7 billion dollars to build or renovate NFL stadiums, taking on 46 percent of the total costs of those projects. Meanwhile the NFL does not pay taxes. They havent since the forties.
In 2015 there was a a deal brokered with the government under President Obama whereby the NFL could give up their official tax exempt status for the sake of public appearances but they could still get away with paying no tax.
Speak to any high end corporate tax accountant. They simply dont understand how the NFL gets away with it. Its just the way it is. The NFL doesnt pay tax. They could literally close their doors and disapear without a trace because they literally do not have a tax footprint. They dont even file.
NFL players are also a protected species, having been granted special rights that dont apply to ordinary high-earners in society. By being allowed to be taxed under the special entertainer tax bracket, NFL players save millions every year, and the public purse is worse off.
In the case of the NFL, the super rich have been allowed to set up a socialist utopia for themselves, operating outside the rules and spirit of the American mainstream.
Source: http://yournewswire.com/nfl-lowest-ratings/
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