Ezekiel Elliott: ‘We’re America’s Team, we stand for the national anthem’

It doesn’t look like the Dallas Cowboys are going to have any national anthem-related drama this season.

After owner Jerry Jones noted earlier in the week that every member of the team would be on the field and standing for the anthem, multiple star members of the Cowboys have come out in support of that stance.

On Friday, it was third-year quarterback Dak Prescott indicating that he didn’t think that the anthem is the “time or place” for protest (more on that here).

Fellow third-year player, running back Ezekiel Elliott, agrees.

“Us as a team, we chose to stand together for the national anthem. It was our decision. I think it just shows our culture,” the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year told reporters. “It shows that we have unity. We’re going to stand as one. That’s not knocking anyone else who may choose to kneel during the national anthem. But we’re the Dallas Football Cowboys, America’s Team. We stand for the national anthem.”

Like Prescott, Elliott wasn’t criticizing those who choose to protest during the anthem. Instead, he was indicating that the Cowboys aren’t going to do that.

There’s going to be a segment of the population that takes these comments as some sort of Cowboys-centric exceptionalism. It does come off brash. “But we’re the Dallas Football Cowboys, America’s Team. We stand for the national anthem.”

Even then, who are we to criticize individuals for making their own decisions? Isn’t that the entire point for those who support the protests? That is to say, boasting the freedom in the United States to make decisions on your own.

Jones himself received push back from a rival NFC East player over his comments. That came after President Donald Trump praised the owner for his decision.

There’s certainly going to be drama surrounding the anthem around the NFL this season. Just don’t expect the Cowboys to get involved in it.