The Cowboys continue to be at the center of the NFL’s national anthem policy craze.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is embracing the social media storm he ignited after seemingly supporting Dallas owner Jerry Jones’ expectations for the team regarding protests against social injustice and racism during the national anthem.
A few days after saying he will not protest for the anthem and that the pregame ceremony is not the right venue for the protest, Prescott felt the backlash.
“I am not oblivious to it,” Prescott told Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram. “You get on social media, you see it. It doesn’t bother me. I said what I said. You have an opinion. Everyone else has an opinion. They are entitled to it as well. I accepted what they said and respect it. They should respect mine.”
Jones openly disregarded the NFL (briefly) deciding on a rule that players who wished to protest would instead remain in the locker room, saying his Cowboys would stand during the national anthem with their toes on the line. Last week, Prescott this policy didn’t affect him, as he plans to stand for the anthem as he always has.
“It has no effect to me because I do exactly what I’m doing and what I’ve said and what I stand by whether I was wearing the star or not or whether I was playing for Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones or any other owner,” Prescott said. “I believe in what I believe in, and that’s that.”
Prescott said he understands what has prompted the protests, which started with former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick two years ago, but believes there is a better time and place to do it.
Prescott became a target on social media as the backlash bubbled over, accusing Prescott of not supporting the movement. Journalists, rappers, comedians and other NFL players have openly criticized him for his stance on the issue.
While he claims he regrets nothing that he said, Prescott believes his views of the protests have been misconstrued. He said he recognizes racism and inequality issues.
“I think there was a little misunderstanding of the fact of what I believe in,” Prescott said. “I never said I didn’t believe in social injustice and things that were going on. I just said I didn’t think that the national anthem was the time. It’s two minutes out of our day that we could also be spending embracing what our country should be and what our country is going to be one day that we know that it’s not right now. That is the sad part about it. That it’s not.
“I respect everybody. And power to the people that kneel. That is what they believe in and they should be able to kneel. For me, the game of football has been such a peace. It’s a moment for me to be at peace and think about all the great things our country does have even though we know it’s not good for us right now.”
