Trump Calls Dallas Cowboys’ Anthem Demonstration ‘Progress’
F.L., saying, “I made my mind up on this issue that I wasn’t going to comment other than I’m very proud of the fact
that the Dallas Cowboys and our players have always stood for the flag and the recognition for the flag always.”
Dallas Coach Jason Garrett opened a discussion of the pre-game demonstration by saying, “It’s been an interesting 48 hours for everybody.”
Mr. Garrett went on to describe a series of meetings between players, coaches and ownership before the game.
engaged in at least some form of demonstration during the national anthem, the Dallas Cowboys, along with the team’s owner, Jerry Jones, linked arms on the University of Phoenix Stadium field Monday night
and collectively took a knee before the anthem was played.
The Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys’ opponent, linked arms in the end zone with some military personnel,
and by the time the pop star Jordin Sparks had begun singing the anthem, Mr. Jones and his team’s players had moved to the sideline and were standing with linked arms.
“The objectives as much as anything else,” he said, “were to somehow, some way demonstrate unity
and demonstrate equality and do so without involving, in any way, the national anthem.”
The situation escalated over the weekend, with Mr. Trump retweeting posts calling for a boycott of the N. F.L.