Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones apologizes for using derogatory term for little people

By Ben Morse, CNN

Updated 1344 GMT (2144 HKT) July 28, 2022

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones takes questions from the media at the start of the team's training camp.

(CNN)Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has apologized for using a derogatory term for little people.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday at the team's training camp, Jones was paying tribute to former players and staff who have passed away recently.In particular, Jones spoke about Larry Lacewell, the team's former director of scouting who worked for the Cowboys from 1992 to 2004, winning three Super Bowl rings before he died aged 85 years old in May.Jones said: «A lot of our staff, certainly our scouts — Jonesboro, Arkansas when they gave a big memorial to Lace. Lace held court out here. I'm gonna get me somebody — a 'm****t' — to stand up there with me and dress him up like Lace and think Lace is still out here helping us.»In response, the Little People of America (LPA) — the world's oldest and largest dwarfism support organization — criticized Jones' use of the term. Read MoreJones looks on during warm ups before the game between the Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints.In a statement, the LPA said the term «has widely been known to be derogatory for years and should be common knowledge to anyone in the public arena, such as Jerry Jones.» «Ignorance at this point is simply not an excuse. Any use of this disparaging slur along with suggestions or insinuations that our stature exists for amusement is deplorable and inexcusable. The millions of individuals with dwarfism around the globe already face unfair disadvantages in their daily life due to their disability including discrimination, harassment, and assault.»Later in the day, Jones apologized for his