Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett doesn’t expect his players to protest the national anthem on Monday night after recent comments from President Donald Trump.
More than 100 NFL players protested the national anthem on Sunday, Sept. 24.
Speaking to Dallas News, Garrett said, “I don’t” when he was asked if there is a need to address what Trump said.
“We have an approach that we believe in,” Garrett said. “I have no real comment beyond that.”
Garrett said he doesn’t have an opinion on Trump’s comments.
“I just don’t think it’s in anyone’s best interest for me to comment on that,” he said.
Trump, in a rally and in a series of tweets over the weekend, said that fans should boycott games.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired,'” Trump said.
“You know, some owner is going to do that. He’s going to say, ‘That guy that disrespects our flag, he’s fired.’ And that owner, they don’t know it, they’re friends of mine, many of them, [but] they’ll be the most popular person in this country,” he said.
Cowboys linebackers Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith were asked about Trump’s comments. “I don’t agree with his comments,” Smith said. “But I love my team. Really no other comment than that. I don’t agree with it.”
Lee also said that he doesn’t agree with the comments. “I love my teammates like brothers. To be honest, that’s all I’m going to say on that,” he added.
The Cowboys are slated to play the Arizona Cardinals at 8:30 p.m. ET during “Monday Night Football” on ESPN.
On Monday, Trump tweeted: “#StandForOurAnthem.” He added: “The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
“Many people booed the players who knelt yesterday (which was a small percentage of total). These are fans who demand respect for our Flag!” the president stated.
The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
Many people booed the players who kneeled yesterday (which was a small percentage of total). These are fans who demand respect for our Flag!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won't put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag – they said it loud and clear!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017