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Dallas Cowboys owner Jones: What Donald Trump is addressing is part of making NFL better

By Alex Butler

Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Longtime Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently addressed national anthem protests, Roger Goodell and Donald Trump's interest in the NFL.

Jones, 75, did the interview Wednesday on CNN. The Los Angeles Chargers throttled his Cowboy's 28-6 on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium.

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"Donald Trump is a longtime fan of sport and a longtime fan of football and has been involved as owner in professional football," Jones said.

"So he has some knowledge. I certainly think that the thing that he is addressing is certainly a part of how we want to make our game better. There is no question, because of our visibility, our substantiveness, that we are looked to for social responsibility as well."

"This is all a part of what I have been talking about, with the commissioner. And certainly I appreciate, not only the President, but I want everybody to be a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and I want to do everything I can to make them a fan of the Cowboys or the NFL. So I just appreciate the interest."

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The New York Giants battled the Washington Redskins on Thursday night. Before that game, Giants star Olivier Vernon was seen taking a knee during the national anthem.

Trump responded on Friday morning.

"Can you believe that the disrespect for our Country, our Flag, our Anthem continues without penalty to the players," Trump tweeted. "The Commissioner has lost control of the hemorrhaging league. Players are the boss!"

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manger Jerry Jones walks onto the field prior to the Cowboys facing the Philadelphia Eagles on November 19 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI

In October, Jones told the Dallas Morning News that his players would not play in games if they did anything disrespectful to the flag.

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"If there is anything that is disrespectful to the flag then we will not play," Jones said.

"We cannot in the NFL in any way give the implication that we tolerate disrespecting the flag," Jones said. "I know the vice president [Mike Pence] did leave [a game], because in his opinion the teams were. We know that there is a serious debate in this country about those issues, but there is no question in my mind that the National Football League and the Dallas Cowboys are going to stand up for the flag. Just so we're clear."

Jones' message was heard in Washington, D.C., and met with support from the President.

"A big salute to Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who will BENCH players who disrespect our Flag.'Stand for Anthem or sit for game!'" Trump tweeted on Oct. 9.

Jones also addressed the renewal of Goodell's contract.

"Because of the power that we [owners] give the commissioner, the time to get the pot right is when you are hiring or extending," Jones told CNN. "So I'm wanting the owners to get the pot right."

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Trump has mentioned the NFL 23 times in Tweets from his @RealDonaldTrump Twitter account since being elected in 2016.

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