ESPN host Michael Wilbon reportedly compared Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to a slave owner while condemning his decision to bench any player who refuses to stand during the national anthem.
Wilbon, a co-host on "Pardon the Interruption," hurled the insult the same day another ESPN personality, Jemele Hill, was suspended for suggesting in a series of tweets that fans and advertisers should boycott the Cowboys, The Washington Times reported.
According to the Times, Wilbon on his Monday show took issue with Jones' directive to players who take the knee.
"And the word that comes to my mind ― and I don't care who doesn't like me using it ― is plantation," Wilbon said, the outlet reported. "The players are here to serve me, and they will do what I want. No matter how much I pay them, they are not equal to me. That's what this says to me and mine."
As the silent protests continued Sunday by some NFL players, Jones told reporters players who refuse to stand for the anthem will be benched.
"If there's anything that is disrespectful to the flag, then we will not play," Mr. Jones said. "Understand? We will not . . . if we are disrespecting the flag, then we will not play. Period."
President Donald Trump tweeted in support of Jones on Monday night.
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