Cowboys owner defended the presence of Josh Brent on his sidelines yesterday.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean he sanctioned it beforehand.
According to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com, Brent took both Jones and coach Jason Garrett by surprise when he showed up at the stadium yesterday.
Brent’s free on bond after being charged with intoxication manslaughter for the car crash that led to the death of teammate Jerry Brown.
Archer’s source said Brent came at the urging of teammates, but that team officials were surprised when he showed up. Brown’s own mother said she forgives Brent, and has supported him throughout.
The Cowboys placed him on the non-football injury list, which makes him ineligible to play but he can attend team functions. He apparently left the sidelines during the second half.
“Our team and our players wanted him today on the sideline,” Jones said after the game. “Jerry’s mother asked us directly as a group. She said, ‘Support him. Help him. He needs your help. Jerry wants that. I want that.’ His teammates asked him to come and be down there with them, and that’s where we are.
“I do know that certainly that there’s the other side of the coin, but this is a case that the people that arguably he’s the closest to really wanting him around for him.”
Brent’s presence caused a bit of controversy, and will likely continue to. Cowboys Stadium is a big place, and if they wanted to have him around, there are a lot of places they can put him that wouldn’t be as conspicuous as the sidelines.