Mike McCarthy says Dallas Cowboys talking through anthem stance, players kneeling
The social justice movement has been a big part of the return of sports. A number of players in the NBA, WNBA, Major League Baseball and NFL have supported Black Lives Matter by kneeling during the anthem with the full support of the leagues.
The question remains how the NFL and, more specifically, the Dallas Cowboys, will handle it when they open the season in September?
The issue is particularly acute with the Cowboys because of owner Jerry Jones’ previous edict that his players will stand for the anthem with toes on the line or they won’t play.
Jones and the Cowboys have not officially responded to the new attitude toward the anthem that includes NFL commissioner Roger Goodell saying the league initially handled the anthem stance wrong. He supports Black Lives Matter and the players’ right to kneel.
Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has wondered aloud why Jones has been silent on the issue. Nose tackle Dontari Poe echoed McCoy and acknowledged that he may kneel in 2020.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, speaking Friday for the first time since the start of training camp, said the team is still talking through its anthem stance and the prospect of players kneeling.
”These are conversations that we’ll continue to have,” McCarthy said. “It is Aug. 7 and in fairness to us this is the first time we have been in the building together. All those things will be talked about. My particular stance is it’s a time to step back and listen and make sure we are in the right place.”
McCarthy is in his first year with the Cowboys after taking over for the fired Jason Garrett in January. He has had open dialogue with this players regarding racism and social justice during Zoom meetings in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 and the racial reconciliation that has swept the nation since.
It has touched him personally and if his attitude is any indication, there is a chance the Cowboys will soften there previous stance on anthem protests.
”I know for me personally, it’s made me take a hard look at the blind spots that I may have in my life from my experiences,” McCarthy said. “One thing I do know, and we continue to echo to everybody involved in football operations, is to take a step back. I think we all need to listen more. How can we really be part of the progress? I think the organization’s statement of protest through progress is right on the money. So, that’s really where our focus will be. We’ll definitely support players any way we can.”
This story was originally published August 7, 2020 at 1:37 PM.
