There has been a whole lot of controversy regarding sports players and their lack of patriotism lately. Several players have been opting to kneel during the National Anthem instead of standing proudly.
But, Owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, refuses to stand by idly and let his players disrespect the flag. He recently told his players that they will be benched if they fail to respect the flag. And President Trump is applauding Jones’ decision. He recently shared the following tweet…
“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!”‘
The whole conversation got started as a result of Vice President Mike Pence leaving a game after several San Francisco players knelt during the Star-Spangled Banner.
“I know this, we cannot…in the NFL in any way give the implication that we tolerate disrespecting the flag,’ Jones, also the team’s general manager, said after a 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers. “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. So we’re clear.”
Just days after Trump voiced his opinion on players who kneel during the anthem, Dallas Cowboy players linked arms and knelt at the opening of a game in Arizona. Prior to this, Dallas players have always stood with their hands over their hearts while the anthem played, even after 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick started kneeling in protest of police brutality.
“I don’t know about that,’ said Jones, regarding whether or not his players raised a fist at the end of the anthem before the Green Bay game started. “But if there’s anything that is disrespectful to the flag, then we will not play. OK? Understand? If we are disrespecting the flag, then we won’t play. Period.”
Jones’ bold statement earned points from President Trump. He also went on to say that showing respect for the flag and the anthem is more important to him than any potential issues of unity amongst team members.
“There is no room here if it comes to 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,” Jones said. “We will not disrespect the flag.”
Apparently, Jones had a conversation with Trump following the Arizona incident and Trump responded by saying there was a rule on the books. Sounds like it will be mandatory for NFL players to stand and respect the flag if they want to play the game they love.
Commenters felt that the new rule goes against freedom of speech…
“Sad day for America “the free”. Submit to political pressure and force Americans against their will to stand for a SONG…Welcome to Germany 1934. Our Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves.”The very second that a freely given, respectful gesture becomes mandatory, it becomes an act of submission.
“The very second that a freely given, respectful gesture becomes mandatory, it becomes an act of submission.”
