Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Monday President Trump and Vice President Pence prompted his crackdown on NFL player protests during the national anthem, according to a report.
Jones said the policy was not new and that he had spoken to Cowboy’s head coach Jason Garrett about it in 2016 when he noticed players protests from the likes of Colin Kaepernick.
“You know who reminded me about the game ops policy?” Jones asked. “Donald Trump.”
Jones: “My job is the Dallas Cowboys. It’s in the best interests of the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL and the players …to honor the flag.”
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 9, 2017
Pence’s decision to walk out of an Indianapolis Colts home game on Sunday after about 20 San Francisco 49ers kneeled during “The Star-Spangled Banner” generated new questions about his position on the issue, Jones also told ESPN.
Jones said VP Pence’s actions and statement in Indianapolis Sunday generated new questions that he decided to answer post-game.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 9, 2017
Jones took a knee and locked arms with his team as part of a minute of silence in September ahead of the anthem being played at their game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Az. But on Sunday he announced his players would be benched if they showed any signs of disrespect, no exceptions.
Jones emphasized NFL game ops manual several times and then this: “You know who reminded me about the game ops policy? Donald Trump.”
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 10, 2017
Defensive ends Damontre Moore and David Irving, who raised their fists following the anthem on Sunday, would not be disciplined, Jones said. They would, however, be provided with clarity regarding his expectations going forward, he added.
“My job is the Dallas Cowboys,” Jones told ESPN.
“It’s in the best interests of the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL and the players… to honor the flag,” Jones continued, referring to the need to teach his team how to stand up to peer pressure.
Trump praised Jones’ decision Monday night.
“A big salute to Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who will BENCH players who disrespect our Flag.’Stand for Anthem or sit for game!'” Trump tweeted Monday night.
