Add Dontari Poe to the growing list of Dallas Cowboys players wondering aloud where their employer stands when it comes to their efforts to push back against systemic racism in the United States.
The veteran defensive tackle, signed back in March, has heard from new head coach Mike McCarthy and new position coach Jim Tomsula, but according to a story from Bleacher Report‘s Kalyn Kahler, the former first-round draft pick says the silence from team owner Jerry Jones is noticeable.
“Haven’t talked to Jerry at all,” Poe says in the Bleacher Report piece. “I hope he comes out and shows his support. … You are an owner of an NFL team—you get what I’m saying? The majority of this team are these people that are being oppressed. So even if you are not going to be in the forefront, we need to know we have your support in that type of way.”
Jones has been conspicuously quiet in the wake of the numerous rallies in cities across the country and ongoing discussions at every level of society following the murder of George Floyd.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott pledged $1 million in support of police training, education, and advocacy. Running back Ezekiel Elliott appeared in a video addressed to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell demanding an official league response. Team notables Amari Cooper, DeMarcus Ware, Nate Newton, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Gerald McCoy have all publicly spoken out or brought attention to efforts to initiatives for change.
But despite one video alluding to years’ worth of conversations between the team and local judges, police chiefs, and attorneys that “reflects the organization’s statement” on social justice and a few social media posts from team accounts, there has been no direct word from the outspoken owner of “America’s Team” on this issue that affects every corner of America.
For Poe, the issue became personal in 2017. As a member of the Atlanta Falcons that season, Poe took a knee during the national anthem before the team’s Week 3 game. He says he received clear support from Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn.
The following two years, with the Carolina Panthers, Poe served on the team’s player impact committee.
This offseason, Poe tells Bleacher Report that he’s been at the Cowboys’ facility almost every day. As per Kahler, Poe says McCarthy and Tomsula “both voiced their support for the Black community and the fight against systemic racism during Zoom meetings with players.”
But nothing from Jones.
“His silence definitely means a lot because in any other situation [he] will have something to say about most things,” Poe is quoted as saying. “I was once a proponent of doing stuff behind closed doors, and doing what I need to do not out in the forefront. … So hopefully he is doing that, but who knows what he is doing. … Personally, I would hope that he comes out and says, ‘OK, I am willing to help, I am willing to fight, and I am willing to be with y’all.'”
[vertical-gallery id=649716]
[vertical-gallery id=646270]
[vertical-gallery id=645744]
[lawrence-newsletter]