NFL NEWS

Jones defends right to be on Cowboys’ sideline

The Sports Xchange

October 30, 2014 at 11:17 am.

Jones drew attention Monday night when he was seen on the sideline talking to coach Jason Garrett about quarterback Tony Romo, who had left with a back injury. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, said his visits to the sideline during games are “not an issue” and that he is no different than many other NFL owners and executives.

Jones drew attention Monday night when he was seen on the sideline talking to coach Jason Garrett about quarterback Tony Romo, who had left with a back injury.

“I wanted to go down there and do what I could, look our guys in the eye, look at them, inspire them to overcome Romo not being out there and overcome what I thought was a critical time,” Jones told KRLD, per the Dallas Morning News.

Jones defended his right to be on the sideline.

“First of all, I’ve been down there hundreds of ballgames,” he said. “Everyone that follows it has certainly seen it, either criticized it or whatever or lived with it.”

He said he is not the only owner who mingles with his team during games.

“I noticed (Texans owner) Bob McNair down there during the entire, almost (entire) first half when we played Houston,” Jones said. “You’ll see certain owners down there a lot. … I know for a fact you see a lot of management people on the sideline.

“It’s just not an issue,” he added. “I’ve always felt that seeing the attitude, seeing what’s going on, getting the pulse, looking at who’s into it, looking at how they’re into it, looking at how they’re reacting on the sideline, all of that is just part of understanding the team, getting to be a better decision maker.”

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