Jason Garrett is changing policy with the Dallas Cowboys when it comes to hazing rookies. “The young guys are part of our team,” Garrett said Sunday, “and they certainly need to get themselves acclimated in a lot of different ways, and our veteran players are in charge of welcoming them to the NFL in a very positive way.”
“There’s not going to be anything demeaning in any way that a rookie has to do. We don’t believe in that.”
Garrett said this was not a response to the Dez Bryant pad-carrying incident that received so much attention last season. He said this is what the staff believes in.
Garrett’s decision is a clear departure from the previous regime. Even though he was the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys since 2007, it was not up to him to issue team-wide policies — that was Wade Phillips’ job. Phillips was known as a players’ coach so it’s no surprise he let them do their thing when it came to hazing.
Even though we enjoy posting goofy haircuts rookies receive from hazing, I respect Jason Garrett’s policy. Rookies are part of the team and the veterans should do their best to make them feel that way.
