Richard Sherman wants to Jerry Jones to speak up on racial injustice
By Ryan Brown
Richard Sherman wants Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to speak up on racial issues.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman has come out criticizing NFL owners who have not made a statement about racial injustice in America.. Sherman specifically called out Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, for not saying anything.
Jones is not known for being silent. In particular, Jones was one of the most outspoken owners against players protesting racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem, saying: “Our policy is you stand during the anthem, toe on the line.”
Jones has been adamant about those protests in the past, but as Sherman alluded to, he has made no comments so far either in support or against current protests and plans in place to fight racial injustice. As one of the NFL’s most outspoken owners, it’s not surprising for someone like Sherman to expect at least a statement from Jones.
Sherman went on to say that silence from Jones “speaks volumes” and he “could really make a huge impact on it with a few words.”
Plenty of other NFL owners have come out in support of the black community. More than half have released at least a statement and a few – including Steve Bisciotti of the Baltimore Ravens, Gayle Benson of the New Orleans Saints, and Zygi Wilf of the Minnesota Vikings – have come out with legitimate actionable plans to help make a difference.
Bisciotti is donating $1 million, allowing the players to decide where the money should go. Benson, who also owns the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, announced a group of players from both teams would be working together in a newly formed Social Justice Leadership coalition. And Wilf is donating $5 million to various social justice causes.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently announced the league will be working to do better on issues of racial injustice as well.
We’ll see if the NFL backs up those words with action, but players like Sherman are calling on teams and people of influence in the league to speak up against injustice.