Cowboys QB Stuns League, Admonishes Anthem Protesters 'It Ain't the Time To Protest'
Earlier this week, The Wildcard told readers about Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ignoring pleas from the NFL by commenting about players standing during the national anthem.
While the league and players association have agreed to a “cease fire” regarding any rules or policies, Jones made it clear that his team will stand, or face the consequences.
Unlike Jones, it seems that one of his employees knows better than to tick off his boss.
Quarterback Dak Prescott has never been one of the protesters, and doesn’t plan on starting any time soon.
“I’m glad they came to an agreement in some form or another,” Prescott told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after Wednesday’s practice. “I’ll be out there standing.”
The quarterback hasn’t indicated that Jones or the organization had pressured him to speak, and doesn’t seem particularly concerned about the issue.
Keep in mind that Prescott is only scheduled to make only $630k this season, and he and the team have had discussions about an extension.
Still, he The Dallas Morning News that these were his thoughts, not the owner’s.
“I believe in what I believe in and that’s that.”
Dak Prescott offers his stance on why he chose to stand for the anthem last year and how he has no plans to change that this year.📰 https://t.co/Pyyr7GpJSB https://t.co/93I1Ba97Ne
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 27, 2018
“It has no effect to me because I do exactly what I’m doing and what I’ve said and what I stand by whether I was wearing the star or not or whether I was playing for Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones or any other owner,” Prescott said. “I believe in what I believe in, and that’s that.”
“I never protest,” Prescott continued. “I never protest during the anthem, and I don’t think that’s the time or the venue to do so. The game of football has always brought me such peace, and I think it does the same for a lot of people — a lot of people playing the game, a lot of people watching the game, a lot of people who have any impact of the game — so when you bring such controversy to the stadium, to the field, to the game it takes away.
“It takes away from that, it takes away from the joy and the love that football brings a lot of people,” he added.
Obviously, the anthem has been a divisive issue — between players and fans, among owners, and inside the locker room.
While the third-year starter says he respects those who protest, he thinks it’s time for a next step.
“I think we’ve proved, we know the social injustice, I’m up for taking the next step whatever the next step may be for action and not just kneeling. I’ve always believed standing up for what I believe in, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
If Dallas is winning games, all will be quiet in Cowboy Land. But if not …
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