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Common believes Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is exhibiting a "slave owner mentality" by saying he'd bench any player who "disrespects the flag" ... making HIM the unpatriotic one.

"It’s an owner mentality," Common tells TMZ Sports ... "like a slave owner mentality, to be honest. Like, 'You gonna do what I say on this.'"

"Other people choosing to put their hands over their heart. What makes that gesture better than somebody else who might be praying during the national anthem?"