While things continue to look good on the field for the Dallas Cowboys, an old photo of owner Jerry Jones is causing controversy.

Munich – Things continue to look good on the field for the Dallas Cowboys. After the win against the New York Giants, the franchise from Texas is clearly on course for the playoffs. Off the field, however, old photos of Jerry Jones are causing discussion.

The Washington Post published photos from 1957 this week showing Jones standing in the midst of protesters at North Little Rock High School, blocking the way of six African-American students.

Asked about the photo and the controversy, the now 80-year-old attributes his presence to curiosity. “At the time, I didn’t know what a monumental event was really taking place. It reminds me to continue to do everything I can to make sure something like that doesn’t happen,” Jones continued.

But does he really? The Cowboys owner is considered a critic of the “Rooney Rule”, which is supposed to allow minority coaches to get coaching jobs in the NFL. Moreover, Dallas is one of seven teams that have never had a black head coach in their history.

Jones, however, does not see a connection. He makes his decisions for business reasons, not for reasons of skin colour.