Cowboys' Dak Prescott responds to controversial Jerry Jones photograph

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has addressed the controversial photograph from 1957 that features team owner Jerry Jones and that has gone viral in recent days. 

"Obviously we can be more empathetic and give grace to one another, regardless of race," Prescott began his response to a question about the picture, as shared by Chris Rosvoglou of The Spun. "From the times we've come from to where we are now, thinking about the growth we've had. That's who I am, how I think, optimistic. I mean a guy who is completely biracial, Black and white, it's easy for me to speak on race on one side or another. And I don’t always, hmm how do I say this, I don't know if I've fully processed it all the way, honestly." 

Last week, The Washington Post published a story that included a picture of Jones at a protest against desegregation while in high school at North Little Rock High School in Little Rock, Arkansas all the way back in 1957. Jones told The Washington Post he was there because it was "a curious thing" and not because he was an active participant. 

As Jared Gans mentioned for The Hill, Jones has come under fire for not hiring a single Black head coach in 33 years as owner of the Cowboys. His coaching staffs have had only two Black coordinators over the past three decades. 

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James asked reporters on Wednesday night why he had received no questions about the Jones story when media members were so quick to approach him about Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving sharing a link to a movie and book that contain antisemitic tropes. 

"I think whether LeBron’s talking to the picture, that's on Jerry to address," Prescott continued. "In the same sense, it's 65 years ago and how times have changed. I mean look at the man's résumé since then, right? As I said, I give grace. I think that's a conversation and question not only for him but for you guys and how y'all feel and how accountable y'all have been in covering and discussing the disparities and differences in race.

"As I said I’m here for growth and giving grace and trying to make this world a better place. That's who I am at my core and what I believe in. Unfortunate things come up from the past, pictures, and they show how far we've come, but at the same sense, they're a reminder of how short of a time that was ago. That wasn't that long ago that we were all sitting on different sides, and we weren't together. But as I said, I wouldn't be here if it were still that way. So I believe in grace and change. Those are questions for Jerry for y'all, honestly, that I don’t have quite the answers for."