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Malcolm Jenkins didn’t mince words when contrasting the difference between Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after training camp practice on Friday.
“[Lurie] has been very supportive of us,” Jenkins said, via ESPN.” I don’t see Jeffrey as a bully like Jerry Jones is.”
“Lucky for me, I don’t play for the Cowboys. Nor would I want to. I think it’s unfortunate that you have owners like [Jones] that use his position to intimidate and intentionally thwart even the idea of his players thinking individually or having a voice about issues that affect their communities daily, which is unfortunate. But for them, hopefully you’ll have guys challenge that. They’ll have my full support.”
Jenkins continued.
Malcolm Jenkins: “The longer Jerry Jones wants to say stupid stuff...about how he wants to bully his players, great, you'll bring cameras to me & I’ll talk about how police brutality needs to end, how we need to end mass incarceration, & how we need to have better school systems”
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) July 27, 2018
Malcolm Jenkins says he wishes owners who don’t agree with Jerry Jones’ protest stance would speak out. He includes Jeffrey Lurie in that. “Silence is compliance.”
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) July 27, 2018
In case you weren’t aware, Jenkins is referring to Jones’ stated policy that Cowboys players will NOT be allowed to stay in the locker room during the national anthem. SB Nation explains why that’s a problem.
It does, however, directly oppose the “compromise” he and the other NFL owners constructed in May when a new national anthem policy was passed. That policy said that players could stay in the locker room to protest, but must stand and “show proper respect for the flag and anthem” if they’re on the field during the national anthem.
By sticking to his solution of trying to end protests by force, Jones is continuing to drive a wedge between players and ownership. He’s also making it clear that — while the NFL and NFLPA are discussing how to move forward — he has no intention of working together with the players.
It’s no surprise Jenkins wouldn’t want to play for an owner who is so controlling.
Jenkins originally started holding up his fist during the anthem back during the 2016 season but he stopped after the league committed to spending $100 million on “causes considered important to African-American communities” last year.
It looked like the anthem controversy was fading earlier this offseason but then the NFL couldn’t help themselves and added new legislation that only added fuel to the fire. Now that policy is on hold as the NFL and NFLPA as the two sides try to come to a resolution.