Denzel Washington slams Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys

Article content

Denzel Washington is one of the best actors in the world, but there was nothing fake about the ire he showed towards the NFL team he has supported since he was a kid.

The two-time Academy Award-winner tore into the Dallas Cowboys – specifically owner Jerry Jones — during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, saying that the franchise cares more about earning money than trophies.

Washington made the comments while promoting his latest movie, Highest 2 Lowest, with director Spike Lee. The film is the pair’s first collaboration since Inside Man in 2006.

“I’ve been a Cowboys fan since the ’60s. He’s making it hard for me,” Washington said about Jones. “Not to be a fan, because I’m still a Cowboys fan. I’m still going to have the star on the side of the hat, but he ain’t thinking about us. He’s thinking about his pocket.”

Washington appeared to be referencing the Cowboys contract standoff with pass rusher Micah Parsons, who is in the final year of his contract and looking for an extension.

In fact, the tense negotiations have broken down to the point that the superstar posted a trade request on social media, adding that he “no longer wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys.”

During negotiations, Jones also appeared to take shots at Parsons through comments to the media.

“There’s box office and there’s Oscars, Jerry,” Washington said. “Been a while, huh? Ain’t been to the show, you wouldn’t know … what it is to win.”

Washington added that his critiques of the team only come because of how much he cares for the franchise.

“And I love the Cowboys! I love the Cowboys. Because I really love them, this is why I feel the way I feel,” Washington said.

The actor, however, did get in one final shot at Jones when he paraphrased a tagline for his new movie: “All money ain’t good money, Jerry.”

While the Cowboys haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1995 — and haven’t even appeared in a NFC conference championship game since then, either – the franchise remains the most valuable in the world. In fact, it became the first franchise to reach US$10 billion last year.

The team also is set to feature in a high-profile Netflix docuseries, America’s Team: The Gambler and his Cowboys, which premieres next week on the streaming service.