After the Cowboys debuted the “Arm in Arm” helmet decal as a show of support for the Dallas police department, a team spokesman told PFT that the hope was to wear the sticker during preseason and regular-season games. The Cowboys apparently have since realized that the NFL won’t allow the uniform deviation once the season begins in September.
“Well, I don’t think we’ll be able to do it during the regular [season],” Cowboys COO Stephen Jones told David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “It’s up for debate as to whether we can wear them in the preseason games.”
PFT asked the league office on Sunday via email for clarification regarding the situation. The league did not respond. But Jones accurately summarized the league’s likely officially sentiment.
“There are so many wonderful, wonderful causes, the league has to be careful,” Jones said, via Moore. “If you allow one, then what do you do about every team that has a great reason to have something on their helmets? There are tons of things out there that need to be recognized. Once you open that Pandora’s box, how do you ever stop?”
The unofficial reality? Pandora’s box already has been opened, with the infiltration of pink in October for breast cancer awareness and camouflage in November for military appreciation. But those causes aren’t controversial -- and they are more conducive to the generation of merchandising dollars.
With the causes of improper violence committed by police (which is wrong and must stop) and violence against police (which is wrong and must stop) not in complete and total harmony (even though they should be), the league will be treading lightly on this one. It’s not a surprise the decal won’t be present for the regular season. It will be a surprise if the decal appears in the preseason.
