NFL allows contact between Dallas Cowboys players and coaches at charity event
The Dallas Cowboys attended the seventh annual Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party charity event on Sunday night, with players and coaches both in attendance.
Although the current lockout prohibits players and coaches from contacting each other in any shape or form, the National Football League (NFL) allowed this one exception because it is a long-standing charity event.
The Dallas Cowboys newly appointed head coach, Jason Garrett, said that his conversations with the players would be slightly strange.
"We'll talk about the bread and the water," Garrett said.
The Cowboys coach added, "Not awkward at all. We're all here for this event. The way the rules have worked, we're allowed to be here together. Everyone is focused on being here, having a good time and supporting this event."
Cowboys’ linebacker DeMarcus Ware has hosted the event for the past six years and did so again on Sunday at the Gaylord Texan Resort’s Glass Cactus. He never even thought about locking himself out of the event because of the ban that the league has placed
on its players.
Ware said, "Giving back is what I do. To be able to do that even though with what's going on with the NFL, it doesn't matter. I'd do it regardless."
Aside from Ware, players L.P. Ladouceur, Stephen McGee, Jason Witten, Andre Gurode, Phil Costa and David Buehler were also in attendance.
Coaches Joe DeCamillis, John Garrett, Wade Wilson, Rob Ryan, Wes Phillips, Brian Baker and assistant director of player personnel Todd Williams were also present at the event.
Preston Pearson, former running back for the ‘Boys, co-hosted the event and agreed with Garrett that things would not be awkward. However, Pearson added that things would not be the same as before either, with the lockout looming ominously.
He said that it was unfortunate that the collective bargaining agreement lockout was so touchy that it had put players and coaches in what he called a “precarious situation.”
As for the lockout, all Ware had to say was that everyone would be ready to play when once it ends.
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