The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals are the final game of a Week 3 that has been filled with national anthem protests. The entire Cowboys team, including Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones, locked arms and took a knee prior to the national anthem. ESPN reported the Cowboys took a knee as a sign of unity and a stand for equality.
The Cowboys wanted to differentiate this protest from the actual national anthem. The team was greeted with a chorus of boos in Glendale.
ESPN also reported Larry Fitzgerald reached out to Jason Witten to see if the two teams could coordinate something during the national anthem. The Cowboys declined as they did not want to do their protest during the national anthem. The entire Cardinals team locked arms, and stood during the anthem.
It is important to note the Cowboys players were also standing with locked arms during the anthem. No players from either team were seen kneeling during the actual anthem.
There had been conflicting reports on the Cowboys plans from those who cover the team. The Dallas News’ Jon Machota noted he did not expect any Cowboys to sit or kneel during the anthem.
I do not expect any Cowboys to take knee or sit during national anthem. Standing w/ arms locked like several teams yesterday is possibility
However, the Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill reported several Cowboys players planned to protest after President Donald Trump’s recent critical comments. Hill detailed how several players were not pleased, and planned to protest.
Nothing has been firmed up and they will likely come to some decision in the locker room. It may not be a coordinated effort. It may just be a few individuals.
One player said, ‘We have to do something.’
Said another, ‘It’s not going to be business as usual. He crossed a line. Something will be done.’
The gesture prior to the anthem by the Cowboys team was likely a compromise as Jerry Jones had been vocal in his disapproval of protests during the anthem.
Jason Garrett noted earlier he did not believe any of the Cowboys players would be protesting during the national anthem. Dez Bryant previously stated he would not participate in any anthem protests for fear it would impact his job.
Bruh it’s the wrong place and time to be talking about that….I care about my black people…at the same time I have a family t.co/9HNgWJ7cFO
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians did not warn players against any national anthem demonstrations.
“That [protests] is an individual right of an American,” Arians told AZCardinals.com.
Cardinals defensive tackle Frostee Rucker noted no player would be isolated in whatever the team decided.
“I couldn’t tell you,” Rucker told AZCardinals.com. “I know guys are upset. I know we do have enough leadership to be able to stick together and not do anything single-handedly. I don’t think anyone wants to be isolated in that, because it’s a dangerous thing when you’re isolated. So if there is anything like that, it’s going to be unified.”
