Cowboys, Cardinals stand, lock arms for anthem

Sep 26, 2017 - 7:03 AM The NFL's weekend of solidarity symbolism during the national anthem carried over to the Monday night game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Each team had players, owners and executives lock arms while standing during the anthem.

The gesture was in response to comments made by President Donald Trump last week, when he said that NFL owners should fire players who take a knee or sit during the anthem as a form of protest for social injustice.

The Cowboys' players and management, including owner Jerry Jones, knelt briefly before the large U.S. flag that covers the playing surface was unfurled.

That drew some boos from the crowd, but the Cowboys contingent quickly rose to its feet before the anthem began.

Anthem singer Jordin Sparks had a reference to a Bible verse written on her hand: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." (Proverbs 31:8-9)

"I think this team, this organization, players, coaches, staff, everyone did the right thing," Prescott said of the Cowboys' pregame decision. "We came together. We had a lot of dialogue. Talked about what we wanted to do, just as a sign of the unity we want to bring in this country and just help everything that's going on right now. I think we did a great job."

The Cardinals, including several members of the Bidwill family that owns the team, interlocked arms in the end zone behind the singer instead of taking their usual place on the sideline.

"We had a discussion, us as teammates and coaches," Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. "Guys were comfortable, and it was open forum, where anybody could say anything, coaches or players. We just talked about a gamut of different things, and we came to the conclusion that we wanted to do that.

"Everyone was on board with it, and that is what we did."