Jerry Jones defended the Dallas Cowboys' bitter rivals when asked to weigh in on the controversy surrounding the "Redskins" name. The Cowboys owner and general manager called the name "one of pride" for Washington in an interview for 105.3 The Fan, and insisted that the team should be able to keep the name at owner Dan Snyder's discretion.
Jerry Jones defends the Washington NFL team’s name as ‘one of pride’
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones opened up about the controversy surrounding Washington’s NFL team name, calling it “a great part of the tradition of the league.”
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jones has demurred when asked to weigh in on the name in the past. In June, he was asked about the decision by United States Patent and Trademark Office to cancel Washington’s registrations on its team name, which the office deemed offensive. At the time, Jones said, “I don’t have any statement on that, but as far as having team marks that aren’t protected, that’s a disadvantage.”
Jones staked his most recent stance on the name’s legacy, calling it “a great part of the tradition of the league.” Dallas will play Washington Monday night at AT&T Stadium.
“Well, I don’t have the issue,” he replied. “I know that it’s not in any way meant to denigrate the Redskins, or the Washington team, or what it represents. It’s like Cowboys to me. And I think we should all feel that way about it. It’s a great part of the tradition of the league. And I don’t want to be insensitive, but I sure think that if the Redskins and [Daniel] Snyder want to keep that, then they should keep it.
“On the other hand, I do understand the times we’re in,” Jones went on. “We’re in changing times, relative to sensitivity. And I have all of that [sensitivity] that you could possibly ask for in my thoughts as well. But I think it’s pretty pointed that this name is one of pride; this name is one of competition; this name is one of a lot of great things that have happened with this franchise. And [it] should be looked at that way.”
See More:
