Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once admitted that Donald Trump’s involvement in the NFL’s national anthem debate was damaging to the league, describing the president’s interest as “problematic”.
Jones made the comments in 2018, when the NFL was attempting to resolve the controversy surrounding players kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.
The debate had become a major talking point after Trump publicly criticised players who protested and urged the league to punish those who refused to stand.
Jerry Jones admitted Donald Trump’s comments were problematic for the NFL
Speaking at the Cowboys’ training camp in California, Jones acknowledged that Trump’s comments were creating difficulties for NFL owners.
“His interest in what we’re doing is problematic from my chair, and I would say in general the owners’ chair,” Jones said.
He also admitted that owners wanted the controversy to end, adding: “It’s unprecedented if you really think about it. Yes I would like — everybody would like — for it to go away.”
Jones was not the only NFL owner to express concerns. Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown also suggested that Trump’s comments had worked against the league, claiming the debate had made people view the NFL unfavourably.
However, Jones maintained that the Cowboys would expect their players to stand during the national anthem, making the team’s position clear despite the wider disagreement.
“It did not impact our position,” he said. “Our position is very clear in that you should stand.”
The comments came amid wider tensions between the NFL and its players’ association over the league’s proposed anthem policy. The NFLPA had argued that the policy infringed on players’ rights, while discussions between the two sides continued.
The controversy also raised concerns among sponsors and team owners, particularly as reports suggested NFL television ratings had declined during the previous season.
Jones had owned the Cowboys since 1989, and the franchise’s commercial success meant that any damage to the league’s popularity was a significant concern.
His comments offered a glimpse into the difficult position NFL owners faced as Trump’s criticism brought the national anthem debate back into the spotlight.
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