- Much to the chagrin of fans of the other 31 NFL teams, the Dallas Cowboys are known as ‘America’s Team.’
- But since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989, the team has been more about him than anything else.
- However, by defying authority and doing what’s right, Jones makes the team less about himself and more worthy of the moniker.
President Donald Trump has made disparaging comments about pro sports and athletes protesting during the national anthem before games for years. He has frequently targeted the NBA and NFL, and it appears that the apple does not fall far from the tree.
Upon hearing that players on the Dallas Cowboys have been given the ‘green light’ to protest during the national anthem, Eric Trump declared football ‘dead’ and said goodbye to the NFL:
It was a surprising reversal from the outspoken owner of the Dallas Cowboys. But it seems that he is doing what he said he would do.
He is having grace.
In the process, the team becomes less ‘Jerry’s Team’ and take a huge step towards becoming ‘America’s Team’ once again.
Eric Trump May Turn His Back On The NFL But Jerry Jones Is Not Turning His On America
Many would say that by allowing players to protest during the national anthem, Jerry Jones has killed the moniker for good. But what he is really doing is getting the team more in line with what America’s Team should be—or what we would like it to be.
How? Well, as cheesy as it sounds, by doing what he said—having grace.
Like most people, Jones only looked at the act and not the reason behind it. He had his perception, which, while relevant, ignored that of the protesters. But what he seems to be seeing now is that his perception is not the only truth.
While he would still like players to stand and be mindful of how he feels along with many fans, he now wants fans to be more aware of how the protesting players feel:
He went on to say a lot more during a recent interview on 105.3 The Fan, but one comment sums his new perception up well:
“… It’s all about trying hard to move the ball forward to see where the other guy is coming from. Not necessarily to agree, but to see where he is coming from…”
So— What Makes The Cowboys’ America’s Team’ Again?
The Cowboys became known as ‘America’s Team’ after a narrator for a 1978 highlight film gave them the name. He used it about a minute into the intro:
It stuck because the team represented at the time what Americans like to believe in—the value of hard work and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. While those values still hold true today, many Americans would probably say America’s Team should be about doing what’s right no matter who says its wrong.
Jones is doing just that. He still doesn’t like or want players to kneel during the national anthem. But he understands why they are and sees the value in letting them use their platforms and voice for the greater good.
To make it even more American, Jones is doing while defying authority (is Eric Trump an authority?) and while knowing it may drive away fans and cost him money.
Doing the right thing in the face of authority, regardless of the cost—does it get more American than that?
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
