Jerry Jones Is Finally Speechless and He’s Taking a Lot of Heat Because of It
While there is plenty of talk around the NFL regarding racial injustice in the country, one prominent man in the league has remained silent on the topic. That man, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, is usually one to quickly find his way in front of a microphone. While NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken on the subject, many owners haven’t opened up. Jones has recently been called out by a number of people who are looking to hear from the owner of ‘America’s Team.’
George Floyd’s death brings awareness to racial inequality
When George Floyd, a black man, died because a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly 10 minutes while Floyd was being arrested, outrage spread across the country. Since Floyd’s death on May 25, protests preaching racial equality have been running rampant in cities across the United States.
Many athletes, among others, have voiced their opinion on the matter. The talk has brought former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick‘s kneeling during the national anthem back to light. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted the league was wrong in 2016 to oppose Kaepernick and others for not standing during the anthem.
Drew Brees originally made waves when he said he would never respect anyone who disrespected the flag. His teammates ripped him for the comment. Other players around the league blasted him. Brees later apologized, saying he needs to be better when it comes to understanding the protests weren’t about the anthem. Talk has helped generate understanding.
Richard Sherman the latest to call out Jerry Jones
While many of the players are being vocal on the racial injustice, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is among many owners who haven’t said a whole lot, if anything. Jones is a hands-on type of owner. He doubles as the team’s general manager and has a say in the day-to-day running of the team. He isn’t saying much now and he’s being called out for it.
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Richard Sherman is the latest to wonder why Jones has kept silent. “It’s not pulling (owners) like it is the rest of the country,” Sherman said to the San Francisco Chronicle. “Because if it was, then they’d speak. Jerry Jones, especially, has no problem speaking up any other time about anything else. But when it’s such a serious issue, and he could really make a huge impact on it with a few words, his silence speaks volumes.”
Dez Bryant, a former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver also had called out his former owner, along with Jones’ son and tight end Jason Witten. Bryant said they should’ve attended a Black Lives Matter protest in nearby Austin. “Somebody should have brought Jerry jones Stephen jones and Jason witten to this protest down in Austin……this is not a policy change this is a heart change and yea I said it,” Bryant tweeted.
Why is Jerry Jones getting singled out?
Jerry Jones is clearly the most outspoken owner in the NFL. He owns the most popular team in the league. People listen to him when he speaks. Jones was very vocal in 2017 when players were kneeling during the anthem. Jones said he opposed it then.
“We cannot in any way give the implication that we tolerate disrespecting the flag,” Jones added, per Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. “We know that there is a serious debate in this country about those issues, but there is no question in my mind, that the [NFL] and the Dallas Cowboys are going to stand up for the flag.”
Has his stance on the kneeling changed since then? Only Jerry Jones knows.
