A clip of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones during the national anthem on Monday has gone viral on social media. The clip showed his daughter, Charlotte Jones, reminding him to place his hand over his heart while the anthem played at AT&T Stadium.
The exchange unfolded moments before kickoff. After Charlotte signaled to him, he adjusted his stance.
Interestingly, Jones publicly discussed how Cowboys players should conduct themselves during the anthem. He mentioned in 2017 that anyone who appeared to show “disrespect” toward the flag would not take the field.
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Following the protests that erupted after George Floyd’s death in May 2020, Jones urged understanding and empathy when discussing player demonstrations.
“I have nothing to prove as far as where I’m standing with the flag and where the Cowboys stand,” Jones said during a press conference. “What I do want to show and want us all to be a part of is a word called ‘grace.'”
Jerry Jones stays true to a controversy-driven approach
Monday’s pregame moment wasn’t the only reason Jerry Jones drew attention this week. Hours before kickoff, he told reporters that Dallas already completed a trade but didn’t reveal details. The move was confirmed on Tuesday, when the Cowboys announced the acquisition of linebacker Logan Wilson from Cincinnati in exchange for a seventh-round pick.
Troy Aikman was blunt in his assessment during ESPN’s broadcast. With Dallas trailing 24-10, the Hall of Famer quipped that no single trade would fix the team’s defensive problems.
His commentary underscored the Cowboys’ ongoing slide, capped by Arizona backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-17 defeat.
Also in attendance was ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, who spent part of the evening in Jones’ suite before leaving early after a costly Dallas turnover. The moment added another layer to Jones’ media-filled night.
Jones told Smith on Monday that attention, even controversy, keeps the Cowboys relevant.
“Controversy,” Jones said, via SiriusXM. “Controversy. I’m serious. I’m dead serious. Not serial killing. Not that. But controversy. The Dallas Cowboys probably have the kind of interest that we have in no small part because we stay out front and we stay controversial. When it gets slow, I stir that shit up,” Jones said.