Dallas Cowboys owner: ‘I appreciate’ Trump’s feedback

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Wednesday said he appreciates President Trump’s interest in the ongoing player protests during the national anthem at NFL games this season.

“I certainly think that the thing he is addressing is certainly a part of how we want to make our game better,” Jones told CNN.

“There’s no question that because of our visibility, our substantiveness, that we are looked to for social responsibility as well. This is all part of what I’ve been talking about with the commissioner, and certainly I appreciate not only the president, but I want everybody to be a fan of the Dallas Cowboys,” he said. “I just appreciate the interest.” {mosads}

NFL players have protested social justice issues, such as police brutality, since the 2016 season and during each week of the 2017 season, either kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem. The issue was brought into the spotlight again in September, when President Trump suggested those taking a knee should be fired.

{mosads}Jones joined Cowboys players in kneeling prior to a September game. A couple weeks later, he reversed course and threatened to bench players who don’t stand for the national anthem.

The protests have stirred controversy among fans and businesses as well. Papa John’s, the official pizza company of the NFL, earlier this month suggested the protests were to blame for their sagging sales numbers.

The Washington Post reported this week that NFL owners might consider keeping teams in the locker room during the national anthem next season if player protests continue.

Trump tweeted in response to the story, saying the move would be “almost as bad as kneeling!”

The NFL is now thinking about a new idea – keeping teams in the Locker Room during the National Anthem next season. That’s almost as bad as kneeling! When will the highly paid Commissioner finally get tough and smart? This issue is killing your league!…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2017

Prior to 2009, teams remained in their locker room for the national anthem. The league policy currently requires players to be on the sideline for the anthem.