Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins is challenging owners to stand up against Jerry Jones after the Cowboys owner announced earlier this week he will require his players to stand for the national anthem prior to kickoff.
The controversy continues to grow as the NFL and NFLPA are still discussing a new policy that was put into place this offseason, which states players have the option to stay in the locker room during the anthem. But if players decide to go on the field for the anthem, they must stand or they will be penalized.
Jenkins, who answered reporters' questions in June by holding up handmade posters rather than speaking to make a statement on social issues, said Friday more owners need to stand up to Jones after he called the owner a "bully."
“As long as you have voices like Jerry Jones that speak and say these things, that reflects the mindset of the rest of ownership unless they decide to make as much noise as he has,” Jenkins told USA Today.
“They know (the protests have) nothing to do with (patriotism). I think that’s the most frustrating thing that they continue to push the rhetoric of anti-military and anti-America when they have walked hand-in-hand with us into communities, who have talked with us to police officers, talked with us to defense attorneys and community groups. So, they know what it is that we’re trying to accomplish. It has nothing to do with our flag, our country or the military itself.”
Jenkins went on to explain that he believes silence isn't an answer and that more owners need to speak out and share their stance.
“Every owner has a voice. They’ll have to decide what they want to do,” Jenkins said. “Silence is compliance. … So, there’s always this kind of speaking out both sides of their mouths of ‘We support our players, yet we’re trying to take away their voices.’ Hopefully we’ll have the majority of owners speak out and share the side of this that they actually stand on.”
The issue is ongoing as the NFL and the NFLPA released a joint statement last week saying "no new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing" after both sides were unable to reach a resolution over the anthem policy. In another joint statement released Friday, the NFL and NFLPA said, "We are encouraged by the discussions and plan to continue our conversations."
President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue in recent weeks when he said players should be suspended for a one-time violation of the anthem policy. He also commended Jones for his stance.
The NFL National Anthem Debate is alive and well again - can’t believe it! Isn’t it in contract that players must stand at attention, hand on heart? The $40,000,000 Commissioner must now make a stand. First time kneeling, out for game. Second time kneeling, out for season/no pay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2018
Way to go Jerry. This is what the league should do! https://t.co/yEP1jK57xi
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2018