Cowboys’ Jerry Gift: Justice Clarence Thomas Has Super Bowl Ring?
FRISCO - The NFL is no stranger to legal controversies, and neither are the Dallas Cowboys. The New York Times recently took a deep dive into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and the manner in which he "entered a circle of wealth and power."
That "circle" includes Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
When he served as chairman of the EEOC (Equal Opportunity Employment Commission), Thomas appeared in a public service announcement with the Cowboys, and Thomas and Jones became friends, per the New York Times report.
The report mentions specifically that Thomas has flown on Jones' private jet, attended Cowboys training camps, and sat in Jones' private suite when Dallas was in Washington to play.
None of these seem out of the ordinary for good friends. But the report also mentions that Jones gave Thomas a Super Bowl ring … quite a gesture.
Thomas has been at the center of controversy recently regarding the propriety of Supreme Court justices receiving gifts from private citizens. Specifically wealthy private citizens, which Jones clearly is.
The rules regarding such gifts appear to be loose and rarely applied, which means Thomas, or any other Supreme Court justice, can receive such gifts without disclosure and scrutiny.
It should be noted that Jones has had ties to both major U.S. political parties, and as CowboysSI.com has reported, has over the years made donations to both Republican and Democratic candidates.
It could also be noted that Thomas doesn't just have ties to the Cowboys. He and late Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga were also close, and Thomas utilized Huizenga's private jet and frequently made trips to Dolphins' training camp.
“I love the Dolphins,” Thomas said at one point, according to the Times. “I’m a Dolphins fan. Primarily a Cowboys fan, but a Dolphins fan also.”
Gifts to powerful political figures could, and have in the past, been levied for personal gain. So that's the reason for concern. The report doesn't mention any wrongdoing on Jones' part, or that of Thomas, but expresses a view about the need for laws regarding such situations to be more clear and defined.
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