Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones told reporters that all of his players will stand for the national anthem, and if they do not, or if they disrespect the flag, they will not play.
Jones' comments came after the Cowboys' 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers last night. According to ESPN, The topic was raised after Vice President Mike Pence left a game between the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts because more than 20 Niners players knelt during the national anthem with their hands over their hearts.
Jerry Jones issued the following statement about "disrespecting the flag," per ESPN,
"If there's anything that is disrespectful to the flag, then we will not play," Jones said after the Cowboys' 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers. "Understand? We will not ... if we are disrespecting the flag, then we will not play. Period."
"We as a team are very much on the page together," Jones said. "We made our expression. I'm very supportive of the team, but under no circumstances will the Dallas Cowboys -- I don't care what happens -- under no circumstances will we as an organization, coaches, players, not support and stand and recognize and honor the flag. Period."
The Dallas Morning News reports that Cowboys defensive ends Damontre Moore and David Irving raised their fists in the air toward the end of the anthem last night, although Jerry Jones said he was unaware of their actions.
Jones added,
"If it comes between the impression or the perception that we're not standing together, supporting each other or the perception that we're disrespecting the flag, the perception that we're not together will be secondary to not respecting the flag," Jones said. "Respecting the flag is first."
The Cowboys fell to 2-3 on the season after yesterday's loss. The team will have a bye in Week 6 before returning to the field for a matchup against the 49ers in San Francisco.
