By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association issued a statement Monday saying it was “astounded” that the National Football League has rejected its request that the Dallas Cowboys football team wear commemorative decals on helmets to honor the five Dallas police officers killed by a sniper in July.
The Association says that the NFL denied the request because of a policy regarding uniform regulations. Dallas Cowboy executive vice president Stephen Jones told Sports Day that he respects the NFL’s decision.
“Everyone has to be uniform with the league and the other 31 teams,” Jones said.
The associations’ national President Nathan Catura is asking the NFL to reconsider.
In a statement, Catura said:
“When the Dallas Cowboys opened their training camp by walking arm-in-arm with members of the slain Dallas police officers’ families, FLEOA’s membership was overwhelmed with pride.
“We did not think we could be more grateful for this outpouring of appreciation for our men and women in uniform until we learned that the Cowboys wished to further commemorate the sacrifice of the five Dallas police heroes by displaying an “Arm in Arm” decal on the helmets of ‘America’s Team.’
“However, we were astounded to find that the NFL denied permission for this important gesture. In the past, the NFL has allowed exceptions to their strict uniform rules to bring attention to breast cancer prevention and national memorials.
“The Dallas Cowboys represent both a community that these officers sacrificed to serve and a team they loved, and for that reason this humble request deserves the approval of the NFL. Our members and the hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers across the country are calling on you, Commissioner Goodell, to do the right thing.”
