But Jones better respect certain traditions.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/22/f ... ble-antics
Fans likely to forgive winning Eskimos bench boss Chris Jones after fine for missing anthem, no to mention other questionable antics
By Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun
First posted: Friday, August 22, 2014 05:33 PM MDT | Updated: Friday, August 22, 2014 06:20 PM MDT
ChrisJones0823 Chris Jones failed to get the Eskimos on the field in time for the national anthem in Ottawa, something team CEO Len Rhodes says won't happen again — ever. (Ian Kucerak, Edmonton Sun)
EDMONTON - At 4:30 p.m. local time Friday the the following statement was released:
“The Canadian Football League announced today that it has fined Edmonton Eskimo head coach Chris Jones $5,000 for disregarding pre-game timing protocol during their last three road games. This led to their players entering the field of play late which disrupted pre-game timing and operations.”
Eleven minutes later the Eskimos sent out their own statement:
“We apologize for the team’s on-field absence during the national anthem last Friday in Ottawa. It was not intentional and does not represent the tremendous respect the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club holds for the nation, the league and fans. The absence was the result of an internal miscommunication we have since corrected. Going forward, the team will align with the protocol set out by the league as to not disrupt pre-game timing and game day operations.”
Six hours earlier, in an interview with your correspondent, Edmonton CEO Len Rhodes “guaranteed” the Eskimos will show up for the opening kickoff against the Toronto Argos Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium. For this game. And for every other game on the schedule.
“Absolutely. It will not happen again,” said Rhodes.
Last weekend in the nation’s capital, a day after the team toured the Parliament Buildings and with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the stands, the Eskimos were not on the field for O Canada.
Twice previously this season the Eskimos were tardy for the anthem.
But they’ll be out there today, at 2:07 p.m., ready for the song.
“Absolutely. It will not happen again,” said Rhodes.
“Ed Hervey has had that discussion with the head coach and everyone has assured me this will never happen again,” Rhodes told your correspondent Friday.
To this point it appeared Rhodes had his head buried in the sand, praying for another 50-50 carry over, but the Eskimos CEO’s words, followed by the late Friday afternoon announcement by the league, make it clear Jones has finally been dealt with by somebody.
If the appearance all week has been that the Eskimos were trying to sweep the whole thing under the rug, that’s not the case, swore Rhodes.
“There’s been a lot of internal discussion on that and we’re making sure that in the future it doesn’t happen again. Whether it’s in our own stadium or somewhere else, when our team is expected to be on the field for the national anthem, that’s going to be done.
“Obviously the club, myself, Ed Hervey and even the coach, don’t condone things like that.
New head coach Chris Jones has been a compelling study here this year. He’s done an exceptional job of pounding out a lot of dents in the franchise left there from last season’s 4-14 car wreck.
But Jones has been personally responsible for for adding more dents in the already battered shell of what used to be the league’s proudest, classiest and most professional franchise, the example in all areas for all other teams to follow.
Jones’s decision to not allow his team to attend Monday Morning Magic, the fabulous tradition dating back to the Tom Wilkinson, Warren Moon era of helping handicapped and disabled kids on midway rides with compassion, caring and their own big-kid joy, which was so striking the first year, the tough old Conklin Shows carney boss of the day, Colin Forbes, said it made him cry.
“In the future we will be there like we’ve always been there with players. Ed and I have both made a commitment that we are back at Monday Morning Magic. There’s no doubt about that.
“He knows the importance of it. We’ve had those discussions,” he said of his head coach.
“Monday Morning Magic is essential. Ed shares it entirely. And the coach realizes how important it is to our community. And the anthems is something we will not allow to occur again. It in no way reflects us.”
The bottom line for many is Jones’s 6-1 record.
After last year’s 4-14 season, a significant percentage of Eskimos fans don’t care if Chris Jones doesn’t have his team on the field for national anthems, shake hands with other coaches, let his players participate in Monday Morning Magic or wreck 65 years of media relations.
As long as he’s 7-1 at the end of the game Saturday, that segment of the fan base is probably OK if he goes out at the at the start of the game and pees on the goal posts.
The Eskimos are coming off a coach in Kavis Reed who was a big believer in restoring ‘The Eskimo Way.’
The ‘Eskimos Way’ hit the highway when Reed was fired.
But there’s no reason you can’t have both. For most of Eskimos history, Edmonton fans have expected both. Because the franchise lost its way is no reason not to expect first place and first class to return together again.
Jones had better respect the anthem. And he had better respect commitments to the handicapped, et cetera.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.
Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.
Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
