Trump called Cowboys’ Jerry Jones 4 times about anthem protests: report

President Trump last Monday reportedly called Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones four times imploring him not to let his team kneel during the national anthem.

The president repeatedly called Jones while the owner stood in the locker room before the Cowboys’ Monday night game against the Arizona Cardinals, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. 

This week teams have anthem plans. It was tense last week, with @realDonaldTrump calling Jerry Jones 4 times & imploring him not to kneel: pic.twitter.com/D8jvrV4Aze

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 1, 2017

Trump’s apparent persistence didn’t pay off. Jones and the entire Cowboys team briefly knelt before the national anthem began. The team then stood as the anthem was sung.

{mosads}

The Dallas Cowboys were among several teams that demonstrated during the weekend. 

Jones, who according to CNN donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee, joined several other NFL owners who stood or knelt with their teams after Trump lashed out at athletes who kneel in protest during the anthem.

The protests came in response to comments Trump made during a rally in Alabama last month, in which he called on kneeling players to be fired. The president was met with fierce backlash from NFL players, coaches and executives over the weekend, leading to a wave of kneels or other forms of protest against his attacks.