Warning: Story contains coarse language
The Dallas Cowboys participated in a team-wide show of unity Monday night.
Following critical comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, the team responded by linking arms and kneeling on the field - head coach Jason Garrett, owner Jerry Jones, and his entire family included - before the playing of the national anthem. The team then all stood arm-in-arm for "The Star-Spangled Banner."
"I've never been prouder of an association with players, with a coaching staff, as I am with this crew," Jones said after the game, according to team reporter David Helman.
Standing in the glare of the Monday night spotlight, as the only game of the evening, the Cowboys intended to make a statement but avoid creating controversy by offering a show of protest during the anthem.
"They were very much aware that that statement, when made or when attempted to be made in and a part of the recognition of our flag can not only lead to criticism, but also controversy," Jones said. "It was real easy for everybody in our organization to see that the message of unity, the message of equality was getting - if you will - pushed aside or diminished by the controversy."
Many wanted to see how the Cowboys would respond to Trump's call for team owners to "fire" anyone who kneeled for the anthem and "get that son of a bitch" off the field. Before Monday, no member of the team had made such a gesture and Jones and Garrett had both spoken publicly about their opposition to protests during the anthem.
"The objectives, as much as anything else, were to somehow, some way demonstrate unity and demonstrate equality - and do so without any way involving the American flag and the national anthem," Garrett said after the game.
