Josh Brent appears on Cowboys’ sideline
A week after being involved in a drunk driving accident that killed former teammate Jerry Brown, Josh Brent was invited to be on the sideline with his team Sunday. According to NFL.com, Jerry Jones stands behind the decision to have Brent, facing a charge of intoxication manslaughter, stand with the team.
The decision has come under scrutiny, as many are questioning the appropriateness of Brent’s presence on the field, including CBS broadcaster Boomer Eliason who called his presence “disgraceful”. Still, one very important opinion sided with the Cowboys. Brown’s mother, Stacy Jackson, asked the organization to support Brent.
“Our team and our players wanted him today on the sideline,” Jones said Sunday, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Jerry’s mother (Stacey Jackson) 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.”
Jones also mentioned the Cowboys organization helped Brown’s family with funeral costs, another step in supporting all parties affected by the tragic accident.
Without all the facts, Brent’s presence on the field could certainly be alarming considering the charges against him, but with Brown’s mother’s blessing and the support of Jones, it’s nearly impossible to argue it was not the right move for the organization as a family unit.
The Cowboys went on to defeat the Steelers, 27-24, in overtime.
