Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has had a change of heart when it comes to his players following his policy on standing during the national anthem.
He acknowledged his realization of a changing social tide after the death of George Floyd in May.
Once upon a time, Jones would not support or allow his players to stay in the locker room during the national anthem, saying the club’s policy was for players to be on the sideline. Also, in 2017, a year after the controversy of Colin Kaepernick kneeling to call attention to racial injustice issues, Jones was the first team owner to say that he would possibly bench his players for kneeling during the anthem.
In an annual pre-training camp meeting this week, Jones told reporters he intends to be more open to his players’ points of view.
“That was then ... This is now,” Jones said on Wednesday (8/12). “These are very sensitive times. I have nothing to prove as far as where I’m standing with the flag and where the Cowboys stand. I have nothing to prove regarding my players and my support of our players. I want our players to understand the perception and where they’re coming from regarding the flag and the sensitivity there, and the many memories there. And I want our fans to understand ... where our players are coming from there,” he continued.
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