How did Cowboys owner Jerry Jones respond to LeBron James’ comments about a photo that shows him at a 1967 desegregation rally?
The Cowboys owner certainly dealt with the situation as best as could be expected. Expressing regret over the past and admiration for the Lakers star in the present.
Following recent comments made by the Lakers star, it was only a matter of time before the Cowboys owner was asked for his opinion on the whole affair and in all fairness, he was both diplomatic and sincere.
What’s the context of LeBron James’ comments about Jerry Jones
If you missed it, just days ago, Lakers star LeBron James was criticized journalists on the topic of Kyrie Irving, explaining that he couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t ask him about a photo of the Jones that recently resurfaced online. In the photo in question the Cowboys owner can be seen attending a 1957 desegregation demonstration at North Little Rock High School in Arkansas. Speaking during a postgame press conference following his team’s 128-109 win against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, James compared the situation of Jones’ photo controversy to that of Brooklyn Nets’ guard Kyrie Irving - his former teammate - who was suspended by the league for his role in sharing antisemitic content on social media. Interestingly, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott was also asked about the photo just one day after James’ comments, to which he responded by saying that everyone should “give grace to one another” and that what James said was for Jones to address. With that in mind, Jones did exactly that on Friday during a radio interview.
“First of all, you have to hear me say how much I think of LeBron,” Jones said. “I don’t know of anybody that I respect more, I don’t know of anybody that’s taken every opportunity he’s had and maximized it. Not only [has he been] a great ambassador for sport, he has taken sports, he has taken his venues, and used those platforms - I want to be sure that you know where I’m coming from. It made buttons pop off my vest, so to speak, when he would talk about how much of a Cowboy fan he was.”
Clearing the Air: Jerry Jones addresses controversial photo
Worth noting, is the fact that James was indeed a passionate Cowboys fan. His decision to switch his allegiance to the Cleveland Browns in recent times appears to be based in his rejection of the way in which the franchise’s management - with Jerry Jones at the center - dealt with players kneeling during the playing of the national anthem before games. Interestingly, Jones made it clear that he is still very much a fan of the Lakers’ star.
“He would’ve made a great tight end. That doesn’t change. There’s nothing about any of that, that changes,” Jones said. “Certainly, he has influence, and just because of all of the above. His accomplishments, how he’s utilized his sport and how he’s utilized his platform. How we have done it. He has enhanced basketball; he’s made a lot of people a lot of money. I hope I have too.” Where the photo itself is concerned, it should be said that it’s something that Jones has previously addressed, explaining that at the time he was at the demonstration because of curiosity. On the other hand, we should also tell you that it’s understood that his football coach at the time advised him and his teammates that they should stay away from the demonstration. Jones has since said that he regrets not having done more to help Black students feel more accepted in Little Rock.