Dallas Cowboys owner under fire for using derogatory term for little people
NFL exec used slur during joke at press briefing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The owner of the Dallas Cowboys has apologised for using a slur for little people.
The comments at issue came from Jerry Jones, 79, who made a joke in reference to recently deceased Cowboys executive Larry Lacewell, during a press conference on Tuesday during the first day of the NFL team’s training camp in Southern California.
“I’m going to get me somebody, a m****t, to stand up there with me, and dress him up like Lace, and think Lace is still out here helping at practice with us,” Mr Jones said.
“We all need our props and the memory that goes with it.”
The remark prompted some laughter from the assembled reporters at the team’s Oxnard, California, facility.
But according to Little People of America (LPA), an advocacy group, the term “m****t” is a slur that has no place in the public discourse.
"M****t is a term that has widely been known to be derogatory for years and should be common knowledge to anyone in the public arena, such as Jerry Jones," the group told TMZ Sports in a statement. "Ignorance at this point is simply not an excuse. Any use of this disparaging slur along with suggestions or insinuations that our stature exists for amusement is deplorable and inexcusable.
"Those who use the term m****t or any terminology that further stigmatises people born with dwarfism are asked to educate themselves to eradicate this word," the organisation added. "Little People of America is asking Jerry Jones to issue an apology and vow to use appropriate terminology rooted in respect and dignity going forward."
The billionaire Cowboys owner later apologised.
"Earlier today I made a reference which I understand may have been viewed as offensive. I apologise," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
In 2015, LPA began rallying to abolish the “M-word,” a term that it said “was never coined as the official term to identify people with dwarfism but was created as a label used to refer to people of short stature who were on public display for curiosity and sport.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments