The Dak who would not take a knee now fights to free a man from death row
The Dak Prescott who gained some fame for saying he would not kneel during the national anthem is using his platform to combat racial injustice in a different manner.
Prescott, who in 2018 said he would not kneel during the national anthem and told the Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill, “I never said I didn’t believe in social injustice.”
Prescott’s stance drew the typical divided reaction.
He told Hill, “I am for the action. I am for joining (then Eagles safety) Malcolm Jenkins and joining those guys in doing something different. That is what I mean, my taking that next step rather than just kneeling or standing. I don’t think kneeling or standing is creating a solution for us.”
He obviously means it. The social injustice he believed in is now something he is combating.
Prescott wrote a detailed letter to the office of Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and the parole board of Oklahoma on behalf of prisoner Julius Jones. The letter was obtained exclusively by Time Magazine.
“The treatment of Julius Jones is the kind of miscarriage of justice African American men like myself live in fear of,” Prescott wrote in the letter.
Jones is a Black American who is on death row in Oklahoma for the 1999 murder of Paul Howell. Jones was sentenced to death after he killed Howell, who was a white businessman from Edmond, Oklahoma, during a carjacking.
Prescott joins a growing number of people who are coming to the defense of Jones and petitioning for his freedom. The list includes NBA stars Blake Griffin, Buddy Hield, Russell Westbrook, Trae Young and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. All of those players have ties to Oklahoma.
In Prescott’s letter, he wrote, “An evaluation of the process that led to Mr. Jones’ conviction raises serious legal and ethical concerns. I implore you to right this wrong. Please don’t let another innocent black man die from the systemic mistreatment that has plagued our nation for far too long.”
Specifics of the case include that witnesses had Jones elsewhere at the time of the crime, July 28, 1999.
Other details about the defense potentially indicate that Jones’ representation was poor and did not include facts that could have cleared him.
At a minimum, there appears to be enough conflicting evidence to suggest that “beyond a reasonable doubt” would be difficult to reach.
Prescott, and the others who are petitioning on behalf of Jones, believe racial elements played a role in his conviction; this includes a racial bias among members of the jury.
Oklahoma attorney general Mike Hunter told Time Magazine that he believes Jones is guilty, and if people looked at the facts of the case like he has they would see the conviction meets the reasonable doubt standard.
He also authored a paper titled, “Overwhelming Evidence of Guilt” about this case, to refute the efforts to release Jones from custody.
According to the Time Magazine article, Prescott was contacted about Jones’ case earlier this year, and participated in a Zoom call with celebrity Kim Kardashian West. The reality TV star has been working for the last few years as an advocate for prison reform.
Prescott writes in the letter, “It is my firm belief that Julius Jones’ conviction and death sentence is an egregious injustice.”
As to whether Prescott’s efforts and words will make a difference, who knows?
What we do know is that two years ago Dak Prescott received considerable criticism around the NFL and from some Black Americans who were irate at his refusal to kneel for the national anthem.
That he was not taking the issue seriously, and refusing to use his platform as the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys to bring light to racial inequality.
And we know two years after his comments, he made good on his intentions to do something.
Below is Prescott’s letter, as originally printed in Time Magazine:
Dear Governor Stitt and Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board Members,
I am writing to express my wholehearted support of Julius Jones’ commutation application.
As a black man in this country right now, I experience injustices firsthand day in and day out, even as an athlete with “celebrity status.” Current events are shining a much-needed light on deep-seated prejudices and systemic mistreatment of black people, and it is my sincere hope that the cultural movements of today will lead to significant social changes that will create a better tomorrow. To that end, you all are in the unique position of being able to make a direct impact by addressing a specific miscarriage of justice.
After reviewing the facts of the Julius Jones case, I firmly believe the wrong person is being punished for this terrible crime; furthermore, an evaluation of the process that led to Mr. Jones’ conviction raises serious legal and ethical concerns. I implore you to right this wrong. Please don’t let another innocent black man die from the systemic mistreatment that has plagued our nation for far too long.
It is my firm belief that Julius Jones’ conviction and death sentence is an egregious injustice. Mr. Jones has been on death row for 20 years, despite written affidavits from his trial lawyers describing the ways they failed him in court. Mr. Jones’ attorneys never presented the photo taken 9 days prior to the crime that could have provided clarity about the shooter’s description. They were appointed without having any experience in death penalty cases, and did not even present Mr. Jones’ alibi at trial. In addition, a member of the jury (comprised of 11 white members out of 12) has confirmed that the jury acted with racial animus – admitting that inappropriate and biased statements were made by other jurors during the trial, including the use of racial slurs.
The treatment of Julius Jones is the kind of miscarriage of justice African American men like myself live in fear of, and that is why I feel compelled to use the influence that God has blessed me with to speak up for what I believe is right and to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Julius Jones’ case is a clear example of what can happen to a person who cannot afford legal representation, and what can happen to a black person at any time in this country – which is exactly why so many are protesting for the changes we so desperately need. I ask for you to please do your part to help bring about this change by giving thoughtful and sincere consideration to your review of Julius Jones’ commutation application. My prayer is that he is able to salvage what remains of his life and that, through the righting of a decades-old wrong, he will be restored to his family soon.
Sincerely,
Rayne Dakota “Dak” Prescott
Dallas Cowboys
