Let's just see how many ways this particular football can be fumbled.

Last week, Jerry Jones brought the national anthem issue back onto the field by declaring, with all of the nuance and humility that he is known and loved for, that all of his players would be present and standing for the national anthem. His suggestion that each player would have a "toe on the line" was especially thoughtful and subtle.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been criticized for saying he wouldn't kneel during the national anthem. (Jae S. Lee / Staff Photographer)

But then what followed was a tough set of criticisms from a range of critics, some quite ugly, directed at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. His offense was to weigh in over the weekend by saying that he personally wouldn't kneel during the anthem, though he has no problem with players who do. Instead, he suggested that actions be taken off the field to address the larger issue that led to these protests in the first place: the mistreatment of black Americans.

To say that we support Prescott on this one would be an understatement. In America, you get to decide if, when and how you wish to protest. The players in the NFL have a right to play this one as they see fit, and that includes Prescott.

We'd actually push another step to say that, as a quarterback — who gets a little more attention than most players — Prescott has an important leadership role in all of this. His approach offers an alternative for players looking to play ball while also advancing an important issue in our society. You can disagree with him, but it seems unfair to attack Prescott for speaking from the heart and then acting on issues that matter to him.

Prescott is not the problem. If anything, spending time criticizing him could end up distracting from the larger issue. But then, who could seriously harbor such a worry? One way or the other, someone will keep this issue alive. So one way or the other, on the field or off, we as a society will have to deal with it.

What's your view?

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