Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Power to the People Who Kneel’: Dak Prescott Says His Anthem Comments Were ‘Misunderstood’

Dallas QB Dak Prescott thinks his comments about protesting during the national anthem were misunderstood. (AP)
Dallas QB Dak Prescott thinks his comments about protesting during the national anthem were misunderstood. (AP)

*Despite taking searing heat on social media, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott says he has “no regrets” over supporting team owner Jerry Jones’ announcement that his players will stand for the national anthem with their toes on the line or face the possibility of losing their jobs.

Prescott said Jones’ words, which were contrary to NFL policy and prompted a league-wide gag order on the subject, didn’t affect him because he already believes in standing for the anthem and was going to continue anyway. The QB also said he believed that the anthem was the wrong time and venue in which to protest.

That prompted a hefty backlash on social media, accusing Prescott of selling out and not supporting a cause very dear to many people of color, especially with Donald Trump continuing to double down on the anti-kneeling stance to fire up his base.

Prescott received criticism from journalists, rappers, comedians and some fellow NFL players. His own Twitter and Instagram pages have been bombarded by a number of unflattering memes and comments.

“I am not oblivious to it,” Prescott told the Star-Telegram after practice Tuesday. “You get on social media, you see It. It doesn’t bother me. I said what I said. You have an opinion. Everyone else has an opinion. They are entitled to it as well. I accepted what they said and respect it. They should respect mine.”

Although Prescott said he believes in standing for the anthem because it’s a time of reflection for him, he also said his views of the protests were misunderstood and that he certainly recognizes racism and inequality issues still plaguing our country.

“I think there was a little misunderstanding of the fact of what I believe in,” Prescott said. “I never said I didn’t believe in social injustice and things that were going on. I just said I didn’t think that the national anthem was the time. It’s two minutes out of our day that we could also be spending embracing what our country should be and what our country is going to be one day that we know that it’s not right now. That is the sad part about it. That it’s not.

“I respect everybody. And power to the people that kneel. That is what they believe in and they should be able to kneel. For me, the game of football has been such a peace. It’s a moment for me to be at peace and think about all the great things our country does have.”

Prescott also said his comments about believing in action over protests were taken out context as well. He never meant to suggest that Kaepernick, Jenkins or any of the other players were only protesting and not doing things in the community.

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