Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is SLAMMED by Little People of America for uttering ‘midget’ insults – but later apologizes for his ‘offensive’ remark
- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones used a pejorative term for the little people at the team’s training camp on Tuesday, but has since apologized for his remark.
- Jones was talking about former Cowboys scouting director Larry Lacewell, who died in May, saying he wanted a little person to impersonate him.
- The comment was condemned by the Little People of America in a statement
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones used a derogatory term for little people at the team’s training camp on Tuesday, but has since apologized after being condemned by an advocacy group.
Jones, 79, was speaking of former Cowboys scouting director Larry Lacewell, who died in May at 85.
“I’m going to have someone, a dwarf, stand there with me and dress her up as Lace,” Jones told reporters.
As he spoke, Jones put a hand on his shoulder to give reporters an idea of Lacewell’s height, then laughed a bit at the image he had created for his audience.
The term is considered offensive to little people despite its widespread use in sports, ranging from youth football and hockey to motor racing. In 2019, Hockey Canada committed to dropping the term, which was used to describe an age group.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones used a derogatory term for the little people at the team’s training camp on Tuesday, but has since apologized after being condemned by an advocacy group.
The comment was quickly condemned by the Little People of America in a statement to TMZ.
“M —- t is a term that has been widely known to be pejorative for years and should be known to everyone in the public arena, like Jerry Jones,” the statement read. “Ignorance at this point is simply no excuse. Any use of this derogatory 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 stigmatizes people born with dwarfism is urged to educate themselves to eradicate this word,” the organization said. “Little People of America asks Jerry Jones to apologize and commit to using proper terminology rooted in respect and dignity in the future.”
Jones has since apologized.
“Earlier today I made a reference that I believe could have been considered offensive,” Jones said. ‘I apologize.’
Jones isn’t the first NFL character to find himself in hot water for using the insult.
Cleveland radio host Tony Grossi was suspended by ESPN radio in 2020 after he used the term to describe then-Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“Who do we have? Grossi was heard saying, unaware that his microphone was working. “A fucking king”.
Former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also apologized for using the word in 2014.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones answers questions from the media during starting training camp
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