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Since Jerry Jones made headlines with a controversial racially charged picture from 1957, there has been considerable debate on the billionaire’s true intentions and his justifications. And surprisingly, Stephen A. Smith has taken Jones’ side, shocking many NFL and Stephen A. fans. However, former NBA Champion John Salley May have an explanation for that.

John Salley is an NBA legend having played for more than 15 years in the league during which he won 4 championships. And Salley knows Stephen A. since his early days in sports broadcasting and analysis. John has an idea why Smith didn’t give his usual riveting and borderline violent take on the 1957 Jerry Jones desegregation photo.

READ MORE: 80 Y.O. Jerry Jones Manages to Make an Impression Despite Gasping for Air in a Cough Attack: “Give Me Some Oxygen”

Salley said Stephen A is not someone the big boys can buy to relay their message. “Everybody should realise that he’s not paid for,” Salley said before adding, “Stephen hates the Dallas Cowboys. He is a cowboy hater. But he needs to be that because he realises that everybody needs a nemesis.” According to John, Jerry Jones even plays videos of Stephen A. where he is hating on the Cowboys, just to motivate his players even more.

LeBron spoke out against Jerry Jones, but not Stephen A. Smith

The Washington Post reported a news article that showed Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones from his high school days. He was present as a part of a crowd of boys blocking the entry for six black students in North Little Rock High School in Arkansas. Jones justified his actions, saying that curiosity was the only reason for him to be present there. The 1957 photo stirred a lot of commotion in the sporting world. LA Lakers and NBA legend LeBron James also questioned the media about its leniency in the Jerry Jones situation. And this could have been an indirect shot at Stephen A.

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However, according to Salley, figures who are associated with the Cowboys like Stephen A. and Michael Irvin have a hard time standing up to their owner because of the unique relationship between them. Stephen A. had very little to say. “I am pissed off but not for reasons that people would think,” Smith said before saying Jones “doesn’t deserve this.” Cowboys QB Dak Prescott also took a middle ground in the controversial subject and even asked people to consider how far Jerry Jones has come from that time.

WATCH STORY: 80-year-old Jerry Jones shows vulnerable state in the middle of a radio interview

The NFC East Division race for the playoffs is heating up more than any other division in the entire NFL. And the Dallas Cowboys are one of the favorites to land themselves a championship this year. Moreover, this will be extra special for Dallas after a 26-year drought of success. And Jerry Jones wants to get his focus back on the coveted 6th ring.

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