Jerry Jones: Cowboys will require players to stand for anthem, not remain in locker room

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Jerry Jones draws line in the sand on national anthem SportsPulse: From Oxnard, NFL insider Jarrett Bell reacts to Jerry Jones stating that all his players are required to stand during the national anthem.

Amid a pause in the NFL's implementation of a new policy regarding the national anthem and players' decisions to protest during the song, one owner appears to be going his own way.

Jerry Jones said Wednesday the Dallas Cowboys will not support players who choose to remain in the locker room for The Star-Spangled Banner rather than standing on the field.

“Our policy is you stand during the anthem, toe on the line," Jones said in a press conference.

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Jones' statement is a departure from what had been a standstill agreement between the league and the NFL players' association regarding the new policy. The pact was agreed to last Thursday night, just hours after a report from The Associated Press revealed a document from the Miami Dolphins had listed protesting during the national anthem as possible grounds for a suspension.

According to a joint statement, "No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing."

Said Jones on Wednesday: “That was put on hold. It did not impact our position, my position, relative to the Cowboys. Our position is real clear: You should stand.”

After receiving consistent criticism from President Trump throughout last season about players protesting during the national anthem, NFL owners voted in May to approve a new policy that requires players either to stand and "show respect" during the playing of the song or remain in the locker room. Any team that has a player who does not adhere to the rule is subject to a fine from the league, per the policy.

Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and Jets CEO Christopher Johnson have said their respective teams would not punish any player who chose to protest during the anthem.

Jones also called Trump's repeated comments on the anthem issue "problematic" and "unprecedented."

"Everybody would like for it to go away," Jones said.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

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