- ABC News
- October 10, 2017
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, in a phone conversation with ESPN on Monday night, said the team policy that prohibits players from playing if they "disrespect" the flag is not new and has been in effect since last season, when players around the league started to kneel during the national anthem. He said he decided to address it with reporters after Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers when they asked Jones about Vice President Mike Pence leaving a game in Indianapolis earlier in the day when San Francisco 49ers players took a knee. "If there's anything that is disrespectful to the flag, then we will not play," Jones said Sunday. "Understand? We will not ... if we are disrespecting the flag, then we will not play. Period." Jones clarified Monday night that not standing at attention during the anthem is what he considers disrespectful and unacceptable. He said players "need consequences" to stand up to peer pressure, and that "it's in the best interests...