Dallas Cowboys star player sets record straight after team owner slammed for national anthem policy

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took heat last week after he reiterated his team's national anthem policy that requires each player to be on the field and standing during the anthem.

Now, Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott is adding context to Jones' comments.

First, what did Jones say?

He said at a news conference last week that despite possible changes to NFL policy, the Cowboys' anthem policy remains the same.

"I will speak for one, and everybody knows where we stand, and we stand as a team," Jones said. "Our policy is that you stand at the anthem, toe on the line."

The NFL released a policy addendum in May that would allow players to remain in the locker room during the anthem to prevent them from kneeling on the field.

Malcolm Jenkins, a defensive player for the Philadelphia Eagles, criticized Jones' comments last week, contrasting the Cowboys' policy to that of Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, who has encouraged his players to use their platform to bring attention to important issues.

"Jeffrey’s been very supportive of us from the beginning,” Jenkins said. "I don’t see Jeffrey as a bully like Jerry Jones is."

What did Elliott say?

During press availability at training camp on Friday, Elliot dismissed the idea that Jones is a "bully" and explained the team chose and agreed to the policy.

"Us as a team, we chose to stand together for the national anthem. It was our decision. I think it just shows our culture. It shows that we have unity. We're going to stand as one," Elliott said, according to the Dallas Morning News.

"That's not knocking anyone else who may choose to kneel during the national anthem. But we're the Dallas Football Cowboys, America's Team. We stand for the national anthem," he explained.