Dak Prescott encourages empathy and ‘grace’ amidst Jerry Jones controversy, LeBron James comments
Prescott did admit that some questions can only be properly addressed by Jerry Jones himself. He also reminded media members that they have to hold themselves accountable for how they cover race related issues. In the most earnest part of his response, the quarterback said,
“As I said I’m here for growth and giving grace and trying to make this world a better place. That’s who I am at my core and what I believe in. Unfortunate things come up from the past, pictures, and they show how far we’ve come, but at the same sense, they’re a reminder of how short of a time that was ago.”
His answer has garnered praise from many Cowboys fans who feel it was a great example of his leadership ability and why he’s good for the team.
Dak also mentioned that part of the reason he believes so much in “grace and change” is because without them, people would still be much more divided and he “wouldn’t be here.” The quarterback didn’t clarify whether he meant he wouldn’t exist (as a biracial American) or wouldn’t be the recognized leader of America’s Team. If he was referring to the latter, he would be another name on a long list of players who have publicly acknowledged their gratefulness to Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization.
What Should Happen Next?
In the past, Jerry Jones has been described as “loyal to a fault” and has also been described by some players as a father figure. Those descriptions combined with common depictions of Jones as a shrewd business man point to the idea of Jones as someone more concerned with doing right by those closest to him than succumbing to the pressures of the public, fans, or the media. If it’s a different head coach that is being demanded, no one should expect that to happen any time soon. Outside of off-season gossip, there has been no indication that Mike McCarthy would not be the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for the foreseeable future.
McCarthy has led the team to unanticipated success considering how the season started. Although not without their issues, the Cowboys have performed well under McCarthy compared to many NFL teams. The league as a whole may be receiving criticism for hiring practices, but that is not going to determine Jerry Jones’ head coaching decisions. One section of the Washington Post article even pointed out that Jones confessed to hiring people that he knows in that position.
So, then, what is there for Jerry Jones to do right now? Dak said the public should “look at the man’s resume since then.” Reading the Washington Post article in its entirety might give an idea of what would be included on that resume:
- the Cowboys’ all-Black strength and conditioning unit
- a coaching staff that is over 50% Black
- Cowboys-sponsored programs to train minority coaches
- Jones’ willingness to stick by Black players even after they’ve served prison time
- the fact that Jones was the only NFL team owner to agree to an in-depth conversation about Brian Flores’ racial discrimination suit
- the fact that he’s been the most honest about what it would take for the Rooney rule to actually work
- how he agreed to kneel with players during the national anthem after heeding the words of his Black VP of Player Personnel, Will McClay
- Jones’ own admission that neither the Cowboys nor the NFL have done enough with regards to racial equity.
The thing about grace and empathy are that they also require patience. Anyone employing the advice of Dak Prescott would have to allow Jerry Jones time to act and allow time to pass before drawing a conclusion. The team trusts Dak enough to follow his lead. In this case, it seems that Dak hopes fans will as well.
