USA Today Sports/Reuters
The National Football League has told Jerry Jones he can no longer speak out about players’ police-brutality on-field protests during the playing of the national anthem, the Dallas Cowboys owner told several news outlets. Days earlier, Jones said his players would have to stand for the anthem, and Executive Vice President Stephen Jones, Jerry’s son, implied players could be removed from the team if they don’t comply. Reporter Mike Doocy said Cowboys staff told him he was not allowed to ask Jones about the national anthem. Doocy canceled his interview, but several reporters who interviewed Jones seemed to follow the rule. Jones, who donated $1 million to President Donald Trump’s inauguration committee, has been outspoken on the issue. Players began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racial inequality and police brutality.