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'Oh Say Can You See?' Home of America’s Team has no American flag

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by GARY REAVES / WFAA-TV

Posted on November 18, 2009 at 1:16 AM

Updated Wednesday, Nov 18 at 1:45 PM

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ARLINGTON — The absence of an American flag inside the new stadium of "America's Team" is turning heads in Arlington.

When the National Anthem played at a weekend high school football playoff game in Cowboys Stadium, fans and players looked in vain for “Old Glory.”

The Cowboys told News 8 the lack of a flag was not an oversight. Brett Daniels, the Cowboys' spokesman, said military color guards are on hand for most games; and when they are not, the image of a flag is displayed on the world's biggest video screen that hangs over the field.

However, due to a “communications breakdown," that did not happen at Saturday’s Southlake Carroll – Colleyville Heritage game.

The absence of an American flag in the billion-dollar stadium was news to Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck.

When told the Cowboys’ feel their virtual flag on the scoreboard makes up for not having a real flag in the stadium, Cluck disagreed.

Cluck, who watched the Cowboys open the stadium with a flag that covered the entire football field, said he considers the issue “an important one” and plans to “see if we can get one hanging.”

Until then, the only real American flag flying at the home of “America’s Team” remains the one flying outside of Cowboys Stadium.

E-mail greaves@wfaa.com

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texan55 said on November 18, 2009 at 7:53 AM

Surely Jerry Jones can pony up for the flag. We've paid for everything else.

nunya_bidness said on November 18, 2009 at 9:07 AM

Seriously? Now it's not enough that we have a flag outside, we have to have one inside as well? Since when is the military color guard not enough? Why are people so all-fired stupid over some issues?

ancient1 said on November 18, 2009 at 9:08 AM

He clearly dropped the football on this one. And he should add a Texas flag along with it. Does Arlington have a flag?

tx_rider said on November 18, 2009 at 12:05 PM

A virtual flag is NOT a flag. its an Image of a flag. And YEs its a big deal. unless you dont plan on standing while the national Anthem is played. that is unless you can see the flag that's flying outside...from the inside.

fishflinger said on November 18, 2009 at 12:15 PM

I can see not having a flag when the Color Guard is there, but to just have a flag on the "World's Largest Video Board" is not appropriate. Guess it will have to be a bring your own flag for the high schools playing there.

cljermynverizon said on November 18, 2009 at 12:20 PM

This is not a stupid issue! Apparently "Ancient1" you have not served in the military nor do you know anyone who has served. The flag of the United States should be treated with respect and honor and included in all we do!!! It represents our freedom, and the millions of lives lost to preserve Jerry Jones' freedom to own a pro football team, and your right to watch it. So this flag should be flow inside, outside, and all over the place. Not just shown on a video screen. Show some respect people!

dfwgal said on November 18, 2009 at 12:27 PM

That's because Jerry Jones only honors the almighty dollar. Really guys? Does this actually surprise anyone?

sir_techie said on November 18, 2009 at 12:36 PM

The BIG uproar about the issue is that the Flag is a symbol of "OUR Freedoms" and this country. Having it just outside the stadium does not count when it comes to singing the National Anthem. Every professionally played sporting event has our flag in some form of presentation within that stadium. If it's not displayed by Honor Guard then there is one hanging somewhere in the view of the stands hanging. Displaying it only on a Video Board is no where near the same thing.. Jerry Jones should get off his Checkbook and foot the Bill for a Decent Flag and have it presented within view of the stands so everyone can pay their proper respects to the flag.

muvrshaker said on November 18, 2009 at 12:45 PM

Ancient 1 if you believe this is a "stupid" issue you should move to another country where people don't value their freedom as much. I as a veteran am infuriated by your comment. If you care so little about our country and what the flag stands for, GET OUT! No one is keeping you here!

dboehner said on November 18, 2009 at 1:13 PM

The stadium has a lot of missing things... like a scoreboard with more than the score :)

jnyreb said on November 18, 2009 at 1:22 PM

Come on, Jerry. Do the right thing, even if somebody has to tell you what it is. Fly the flag and stop having somebody make lame excuses for you. You screwed up. Say you screwed up and move on. Put up some nice US and TX flags and just be done with it. Even Arkansas is in the US for cryin' out loud.

lissajeff24 said on November 18, 2009 at 1:32 PM

"SOME ISSUES"??? Really? I have an issue with you thinking this isn't a big deal. You probably leave your hat on and don't put your hand over your heart either while the National Anthem is on. Am I right?

iluvourboys2 said on November 18, 2009 at 1:42 PM

An American Flag should be hung at all sporting events since we sing the National Anthem prior to the starting of the event. What was Jerry thinking....profits instead of our flag. DFWGAL: I can't agree with you more!!! JERRY: HANG OUR AMERICAN FLAG WITH PRIDE (SINCE YOU ARE AMERICA'S TEAM) AND SHOW YOUR SPIRIT. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT HAVING IT THE DAY THE STADIUM OPENED. Go Marcus!!!!!! See you Saturday, I hope the flag will be there for all to salute with pride!

scaggits said on November 18, 2009 at 1:47 PM

Personally I think there should not be a US flag in the stadium. Being hispanic I would view this as nothing but an insult by the Dallas Cowboys considering there is no Mexican flag at the stadium. As a fan it is only right if there is going to be an American flag on display for my children to see the Mexican flag as well.

sojourner said on November 18, 2009 at 1:51 PM

Need some help Jerry? I'll buy you a flag. If enough of us patriots get together on this blog, we can get a real nice big one.

ancient1 said on November 18, 2009 at 2:17 PM

Clearly soemone can't line up words with names. I said above: He clearly dropped the football on this one. And he should add a Texas flag along with it. Does Arlington have a flag? If that is too "flip" for some of you, so sorry. FYI: Four years USAF and dang proud of it. So, yes, I do know what the flag means.

easymike said on November 18, 2009 at 2:18 PM

scaggits: Are you serious? I'm tempted ot think your comment is nothing but a troll to incite comments more thoughtless than your own. You are in America, not Mexico. Thus, you will see OUR flag, not yours. You gave up your life in Mexico and came to our country to benefit from all the things this wonderful place has to offer and you're going to gripe because you're a little homesick and want to see your flag at some stadium? Get your priorities (and loyalties) straight.

mitrow said on November 18, 2009 at 2:21 PM

what's Jerry care. he got his plaything at our expense. kinda goes with his no team/no flag. everyone on the metroplex should boycott America's team and not go to the games/buy tickets to the games. The networks (fox,cbs,abc,nbc,espn,nflnetwork) should not show cowbags games on tv until Jerry gets a reaL FLAG and presents it with pride. Shame on him and his organization. This was/is UNAMERICAN.

scaggits said on November 18, 2009 at 2:57 PM

I believe my loyalties are straight. I am here to work just as many americans work overseas on a daily basis. Without my people who would have built the stadium? The roads that get to the stadium? Just because you have some racist views and lump all Mexican Americans together does not give you the right to put down my flag.

lecherro said on November 18, 2009 at 4:43 PM

As usual with the cowboys they blame the video department. These guys cant take responsibility for anything. Is it the medias job to bring the flag. SOS different stadium.

lecherro said on November 18, 2009 at 4:46 PM

scaggits: Without my people who would have built the stadium? The roads that get to the stadium? That does not mean that we should fly a Mexican flag though. The screen technology is from Japan, Should we fly a japanese flag????

tezgno said on November 18, 2009 at 5:07 PM

@scaggits No one is putting down your flag. No one is being racist towards you by saying that a Mexican flag has no place in an American sporting event. What you are failing to understand that this isn't about your heritage or your pride (you being Mexican American). Rather, this is about American heritage and American pride. See, last time I checked, Arlington, is located in Texas. Also, last time I checked, Texas was one of the 50 states of the Union. By that accord, a Mexican flag being flown in a public American facility in Arlington, TX would not only be an insult to all of the Americans who gave up their lives so that I can have the freedom to go to such an event, it would be an act of disloyalty to this great nation. To further that, you talk about racism. Doesn't your own statement not feed the stereotype of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in addition to adding your own racial slur? I'm sure all of the other nationalities who worked on the stadium would be offended by it.

scaggits said on November 19, 2009 at 8:58 AM

wow, im glad the indians didnt respond with as much hatred when white peoples ancestors moved to north america to try to make a better life for themselves. what hispanics are doing does not even compare. maybe we should just show up and steal all your land and call it our own. its seems to me most americans have forgot what america stands for!

iluvourboys2 said on November 19, 2009 at 9:14 AM

GARY REAVES: Please keep us posted on the outcome of getting a flag at the Cowboys Stadium. Thanks!!!!

lecherro said on November 19, 2009 at 11:46 AM

Scaggits: Ok bozo, you said it yourself. AMERICA. why should AMERICA be flying a Mexican flag. There is no hatred here. I would not go to Mexico and expect to see an American flag hanging in one of the soccer stadiums, even though i am American and really like soccer. DUH..... Some people are just too ready to hate.

scaggits said on November 19, 2009 at 3:35 PM

americans are such hipocrites. you fail to remember stealing other peoples land and calling it your own. now you want to talk about american pride when you murdered indians to get this land. now you are doing the same things overseas. there is a reason other countries dont like you. if it werent for my wife being pregnant 10 years ago i know i would have stayed away. viva la mexico!!!

henryc said on November 20, 2009 at 11:13 AM

scaggits -- get a grip! Mexico is a beautiful country with a beautiful flag that commands respect for the people that died for it. But, why should the Mexican flag be flown at Cowboy Stadium? I'm sure there are many nationalities represented at every event -- should all of those flags fly? Good grief! Listen to yourself as you make no sense. The issue is that a huge mistake was made in not putting the American flag there to start with -- and that mistake should be made right -- I hope we see the American flag flying on Sunday.

penelopegrace said on November 20, 2009 at 4:32 PM

BOYCOTT Jerry Jones with your wallets football fans! I thank Mayor Robert Cluck for his leadership insisting a real flag be displayed in Texas Stadium permanently. TV big screen is real but the flag is a Lite Brite fake mirage. Remember the leadership of patriots like Tex Schramm, Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson and QB Roger Staubach, a US NAVY VET! Shunning Old Glory's PRESENCE is a trial balloon attempt by the Moslem sympathizers in DNC and President Obama's admin. to subvert our core Judeo/Christian values. I feel deep gratitude to all US military service men. Honor their sacrifice! GAME PLAN: In the name of Jesus Christ and the Holy BIBLE, Liberty and gratitude for our blessings Thanksgiving 2009, I call for the PERMANENT installation of a giant American flag or send ultimatum in peaceful protest: BOYCOTT all Cowboy's ticket sales for this year and next year's games, BOYCOTT all Cowboy's merchandies on sale for Christmas 2009, BOYCOTT attendance at Cowboy's home games now!