Today, vice president Mike Pence made a big show of his arrival and quick about-face in Indianapolis when he was reportedly offended by San Francisco 49ers players kneeling and locking arms during the national anthem. It has since come out that this was a premeditated action that Donald Trump formulated in his administration’s war on football (while people in Puerto Rico are begging for water).
In other words, that status quo has been maintained, and despite the protests, leaders of the nation still aren’t acknowledging why people are kneeling in the first place — police brutality and inequality.
Now in comes Jerry Jones, who told the press today that he recently spoke with Trump, and that any player on his Cowboys team that “disrespects the flag” (by peacefully protesting) will not play.
It’s unknown if these players will still be paid, or if this is even legal to do.
“If there is anything disrespecting the flag, then we will not play. Period. We’re going to respect the flag and I’m going to create the perception of it. I know this. We cannot in the NFL, in any way, give the implication that we tolerate disrespecting the flag. 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 continued to discuss the issue with reporters and in that conversation with Trump, seemed to get some fake news: Trump told Jones that there was a rule that dictates players must stand for the national anthem. That is not true.
Jerry Jones said part of his phone conversation recently with President Donald Trump was Trump telling him about an NFL policy in game operational manual that dictates players stand for the national anthem. Jones said that Trump said, "This could have all been resolved.”
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) October 9, 2017
NFL policy does not require standing for anthem. If this happens, there will be lawyers. https://t.co/thzRCtvyi6
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) October 9, 2017
In a quick response, the NFLPA wrote that they “cannot allow our rights to become subservient to the very opinions our constitution protects.” The union seems to be unwaveringly focused on protecting the free speech of the players.
The @NFLPA has released a statement on #NFL players' constitutional rights after comments from #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. pic.twitter.com/NQUfXBQKCF
— Ben Krimmel (@BenKrimmel) October 9, 2017
As this turns into a free speech issue, the crux of the demonstrations have yet to be addressed by the Trump administration.
(Via SportsDay)
