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SPORTS Friday 27 July 2018

Jerry Jones: Cowboys can’t stay in locker room for anthem

By SCHUYLER DIXON clear from the beginning.
AP Pro Football Writer “I do understand when you
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — see the back and forth,”
Dallas Cowboys owner Stephen Jones said. “But
Jerry Jones doubled down we’ve been consistent
Wednesday on insisting and we’ve never moved.
that his players stand for Jerry’s never changed his
the national anthem, de- stance once. I think he feels
claring that he wouldn’t strongly about it.”
support anyone who chose The younger Jones didn’t
to stay in the locker room. want to speak for the play-
Speaking at his annual ers when asked if Jerry
news conference to open Jones’ strong message is
training camp in California, the reason none of his play-
the outspoken billionaire ers have defied him.
became the first owner to “I was always brought up
say publicly that his players when you work for some-
would not be allowed to body and they’re the boss,
stay off the field during the you play by their rules,” Ste-
anthem. phen Jones said.
“No,” Jones said when Jones, who drew praise
asked if he would support from President Donald
players staying in the locker Trump when he said last
room. “Our policy is that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones takes questions from the press after the “state of the team” year that he would bench
you stand at the anthem, press conference at the start of the team’s NFL training camp, Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in players, said Trump’s con-
toe on the line.” Oxnard, Calif. tinuing involvement in the
Last week, the NFL and the Associated Press anthem issue is “problem-
players’ union agreed to he would bench a player when then-San Francisco the point of view of players atic” for the league.
suspend the rule approved for protesting during the 49ers quarterback Colin who say they aren’t pro- Trump weighed in again
by owners this spring that anthem. Two of his play- Kaepernick began protest- testing the flag or the mili- after news of the Dolphins’
gave players the option of ers — defensive linemen ing police brutality, social tary. policy broke, tweeting “The
staying in the locker room David Irving and Damontre injustice and racial inequal- “This is a case where we $40,000,000 Commissioner
while allowing teams to dis- Moore — raised their fists ity by kneeling during the need to in my mind check must now make a stand,”
cipline players who took a briefly as “The Star Span- national anthem. The dem- that and be real clear that a reference to Roger
knee or sat during the an- gled Banner” ended but onstration spread to other it is, the priority is about Goodell.
them. weren’t disciplined. players and teams. the flag, and be real clear “His interest in what we’re
The decision to begin ne- “I obviously wouldn’t dare The NFL started requiring about that,” Jones said. doing is problematic from
gotiating on the issue came speak for any of the other players to be on the field “Sometimes it’s best to just my chair and I would say,
hours after The Associated owners, much less in gener- for the anthem in 2009, the be real clear and succinct in general, in the owner’s
Press reported that Miami al about 31 other owners,” year it signed a marketing so that nobody misunder- chairs,” Jerry Jones said.
Dolphins players who pro- Jones said. deal with the military. Jones stands. I think that’s our “And unprecedented if
tested during the anthem “As far as the Dallas Cow- had already owned the case.” you really think about it. But
could be suspended for up boys are concerned, you Cowboys for 20 years when Executive vice president like the very game itself,
to four games under team know where I stand. Our players moved from the Stephen Jones said the that’s the way it is and we’ll
policy. team knows where I stand locker room to the field for Cowboys don’t have an deal with it. But, yes, every-
Last season, Jones was the on the issue.” the anthem. anthem issue because his body would like for it to go
first owner to declare that The issue erupted in 2016 Jones said he understood father has made his stance away.”q

Patriots sport new-look

defense after Super Bowl loss

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) after being mysteriously I’m sure they’re focused
— The Patriots are sporting benched for most of the on this year. That Super
a new look on defense and Super Bowl, but key ad- Bowl last year is gone, it’s
an attitude of leaving be- ditions include lineman over with,” Hightower said.
hind their lack of defense in Danny Shelton, pass rusher “We’re focusing on training
the Super Bowl. Adrian Clayborn and cor- camp.” Safety Duron Har-
Former defensive coordi- nerback Jason McCourty mon says all his teammates
nator Matt Patricia is now joining his twin brother can do now is buckle down
head coach in Detroit. Devin in the backfield. Line- on their assignments and
Longtime assistant Brian backer Dont’a Hightower string good days together. New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower steps off the
Flores is running the defense says the players are mov- “If you’re looking at the field following NFL football practice, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in
in New England without the ing past the Super Bowl loss tunnel you can’t even see Foxborough, Mass.
formal title of coordinator. to the Philadelphia Eagles, the light right now,” said Associated Press
Several players have shuf- a game in which the Pa- Harmon, who changed his Players say Flores has preciate it,” Harmon said.
fled on and off the roster. triots defense allowed 613 number to 21 as he gave brought in a different ter- “I like his intensity, I love his
Starting cornerback Mal- yards. “I don’t think any of the No. 30 jersey to Jason minology and attitude. attitude and I just know it’s
colm Butler signed with those guys are going to let McCourty, who played for “I know how he’s going to going to help me become
Tennessee in free agency that hold over their heads. the Browns last season. drive the team and I ap- a better football player.”q