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Jerry Jones: 'We're going to respect the flag'
Controversy over protests during the national anthem simmered down in
Week 4 after a leaguewide spread following President Trump’s September
criticism. But the political brushfire flared right back up again in
Week 5 thanks to Vice President Mike Pence’s highly publicized walkout from an Indianapolis Colts game, a protest of the protests apparently orchestrated by President Trump himself. Later in the day, following a last-second loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke at length on the protests.
“I know this. We cannot in the NFL, in any way, give the implication that we tolerate disrespecting the flag,” Jones told reporters after the game.
“We cannot do that. I know the vice president did leave because in his
opinion, the teams were. We know that there is a serious debate in this
country about those issues. But there is no question in my mind that the
National Football League and the Dallas Cowboys are going to stand up
for the flag. Just so we’re clear.”
Jones made it
clear that he prized respect for the flag over team unity: “The main
thing I want to do is make it real clear. There is no room here,” he
said. “If it comes between looking non-supportive of our players and of
each other or creating the impression that you’re disrespecting the
flag, we will be non-supportive of each other. We will not disrespect
the flag.”
Jones also cited the NFL’s own “rules that are on the book” as a
justification for his line in the sand. The NFL’s Game Operations
Manual, as quoted by the Washington Post, addresses anthem behavior in this fashion:
“The National Anthem must be played prior to
every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National
Anthem. During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area
should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left
hand and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the
American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players
and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of
respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the
start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines,
suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of
the above, including first offenses.”
It’s worth noting that the only “must” in
that paragraph pertains to the playing of the anthem itself; everything
else is either a “should,” or a violation that “may” result in
punishment. To date, the NFL has used that soft language to permit
players to protest without immediate recrimination, with NFL spokesman
Joe Lockhart saying “our players have a right to express themselves.”
Jones is indicating that the Cowboys will follow a far more hardline
philosophy.
“If there is anything disrespecting the flag,
then we will not play. Period,” he said. “We’re going to respect the
flag and I’m going to create the perception of it.”
Of course, one person’s disrespect of the
flag is another’s peaceful, non-confrontational speech. One wonders how
Jones might enforce that “respect” off the field — will fans in
attendance be required to stand with hands over hearts? Will the Cowboys
avoid wearing flag patches on their uniforms, or ditch the use of the
giant horizontally-held flags so common across the NFL, all of which are in direct contradiction to U.S. government flag policy?
These are pedantic questions, of course, and
you could argue that fans are “exempt” from Jones’ directive because
he’s not paying them. But if you’re going to allow some forms of
“disrespect” in your workplace and not others, well, you’re just opening
yourself up for exactly the kind of ugly legal challenge the NFL tries
to evade at every turn. (Also, once more, so we’re clear: Players do
have a First Amendment right to say what they wish without fear of
government intervention. The First Amendment doesn’t necessarily protect
them from being fired by their employer, however.)
The NFL Players’ Association released a
statement initially in response to Pence, but NFLPA officials noted that
it had many applications on the day:
“NFL players are union members and part of
the labor movement that has woven the fabric of America for generations.
Our men and their families are also conscientious Americans who
continue to be forces for good through our communities and some have
decided to use their platform to peacefully raise awareness to issues
that deserve attention.
“It is a source of enormous pride that some
of the best conversations about these issues have taken place in our
locker rooms in a respectful, civil and thoughtful way that should serve
as a model for how all of us can communicate with each other.
“We
should not stifle these discussions and cannot allow our rights to
become subservient to the very opinions our Constitution protects. That
is what makes us the land of the free and home of the brave.”
Regardless, the protest issue isn’t going
away, and this week, at least, it’s politicians and owners, not players,
who have created headlines.
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