Dallas Cowboys executives Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones are not backing down from their stance that they expect their players to stand for the National Anthem come 2018. Since the NFL implemented a policy (currently suspended) this offseason that disciplines athletes for kneeling during the Anthem, the Cowboys are making it clear they want complete workplace obedience.
As expected, that will not sit well with players who have used their platform to bring attention to long-ignored social injustices going on throughout the United States.
Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, who has been at the forefront of Anthem displays, took the time to express his opinion on Jones’ recent comments.
Malcolm Jenkins is glad he doesn’t play for a “bully” like Jerry Jones https://t.co/Npng3CrU4u
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 27, 2018
Per Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com, Jenkins had the following to say when comparing Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to Jones:
“Jeffrey’s been very supportive of us from the beginning. I don’t see Jeffrey as a bully like Jerry Jones is. Lucky for me, I don’t play for the Cowboys, nor would I want to. It’s unfortunate that you have owners like him that use his position to intimidate and intentionally thwart even the idea of his players thinking individually or having a voice about issues that affect their communities daily. It’s unfortunate.”
Malcolm Jenkins spoke today about Jerry Jones, the NFL anthem policy and what he would like to see #Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie do. He also explained why he wouldn't play for the #Cowboys.
Everyone should read what he had to say:https://t.co/fvmulTTEyV
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) July 27, 2018
Jenkins goes on to express other important stances, insights and opinions in his interview with Rosenblatt, but what’s clear is that two years after Colin Kaepernick infamously took a stance by kneeling, the league is still at a serious divide.
It’s not clear what it will take for executives and players to reach some sort of common understanding, but as long as rules are implemented to silence one side over the other, compromise will remain unattainable.
