Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones always makes sure he offends every single marginalized group he can, he mocked the blind population during Halloween. During a party he attended, his intention was to mock NFL referees by dressing up as one of them who was blind. He used a cane and everything but the backlash is something he truly doesn’t care about. Jerry Jones has never worried about what people think about him and he even jokes about getting fined. If this happens, the Cowboys owner doesn’t mind getting a fine over a joke.
Jerry Jones responded to the backlash through Sports Illustrated, who pressed him about his costume choice for Halloween. However, his response was too tongue and cheek. This is what he said: “I’m being very careful here because I’m getting real close to a fine. It shows how much I love them to dress up as them … how much I respect their decision-making. I had the cane and everything. And I used it on some people, too.”
National Federation of the Blind responds to Jones
His name is Chris Danielsen, he is the Director of the National Federation of the Blind and he just spoke to the folks at People about Jerry Jones‘ behavior. This is what he said: “That costume plays on the stereotype that blind people are generally incompetent because of our lack of eyesight.
“That general stereotype, in turn, limits our opportunities for employment and for participation in society. This is not just an issue of a perceived problem; statistics routinely verify that blind people have an unemployment rate of between 60 and 70%. This is not because we are unemployable, but because too many employers still internalize low expectations and stereotypes about us.”
Danielsen was also approached by TMZ, he specifically addressed the blind Cowboys fans that Jerry Jones has. This is what he said: “”He does have blind Cowboys fans. They show up at games and put on headsets or listen on the radio. It may be something for him to think about.”