Anthem Protests Come To Arizona As Cardinals Lock Arms, Cowboys Kneel

PHOENIX, AZ — The wave of protests that traveled from NFL game to NFL game — from London to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to Minneapolis and beyond — made its way to Arizona Monday night. The Cardinals hosted the Cowboys, and both teams, in a sign of unity, protested during the national anthem.

The Cardinals stayed in the end zone. Team owner Michael Bidwell, flanked by wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and cornerback Patrick Peterson, locked arms along with the rest of the team. The Cowboys took it a step farther, kneeling before the anthem. As a team.

In a surprise move, team owner Jerry Jones, who had spoken out against anthem protests, joined his team in the demonstration.

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The anthem was performed by Phoenix native Jordin Sparks, the youngest "American Idol" winner ever and the daughter of former NFL star Phillipi Sparks.

The protests — which started last year with then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick — are directed toward the issue of police brutality. They gained some traction at the beginning of the season and took on new life last weekend after President Trump said players who protest should be fired.

He poured fuel on the fire by referring to protesting players as SOBs.

On Sunday, hundreds of players took a knee in solidarity while hundreds others locked arms. The players from the Seahawks, Titans, and Steelers stayed off the field for the anthem. (For more local news, subscribe to the Phoenix Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts).

Over the weekend, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said it was up to his players to decide whether or not to protest.

"That is an individual right of an American," he said. "I've been in locker rooms for 25 years, and some of the most reputable men I’ve ever met wear that uniform.

"To even overcome the things in their life to get to the NFL is amazing. What they've done in the last month for hurricane relief victims speaks volumes of what we're all about in the NFL."

Team owner Bidwell had also released a statement praising his players.

"That's not the place to do anything other than honor the flag and everybody that's given up a little for it," he said.

Times, apparently, change.

Photo: From left; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson, president Michael Bidwill, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and head coach Bruce Arians stand during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin