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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones identified in troubling 1957 segregation photo

Jerry Jones has owned the Dallas Cowboys since 1989 and is arguably the league's best known executive. His hands-on approach as an owner, being involved in athletic decisions has been criticized by many, although Dallas has won three Super Bowls (1993, 1994 and 1996) under his tutelage.

The Cowboys, however, have had a drought of success for 26 years, which has put the 80-year old under the spotlight. Today, he is in the headlines for a far more nefarious reason.

A disturbing scene from 1957 shows Jerry Jones in the crowd

White students at Arkansas' North Little Rock High deny access to six Black students. Jerry Jones is circled.

White students at Arkansas' North Little Rock High deny access to six Black students. Jerry Jones is circled.

The Washington Post has run a story talking about the mogul's success in aiding the NFL to find new revenue streams, but doing nothing in his tenure to help minorities.

Jones has been identified in a troubling Sept. 9, 1957 photograph in North Little Rock High School in Arkansas. The scene is chilling: a group of young white males stand in front of a school and harrass six black students from entering and desgregating the school.

Jerry Jones has not apologized for role shown in photograph

Another scene from Sept. 9th, 1957 in front of the Arkansas high school.

Another scene from Sept. 9th, 1957 in front of the Arkansas high school.William P. Straeter/AP

The Cowboys owner, who was one month from turning 15 at the time, is not at the front of the pack, but was present at the scene. He has admitted to being the boy in the photo, but has not apologized.

He assures he was there just as a curious bystander: "I don't know that I or anybody anticipated or had a background of knowing what was involved. It was more a curious thing."

The present-day billionaire said he was a "mischevious little burrhead" back then, and defied his coach's orders to stay away from the scenes. Jones also admits he had no knowledge that photographers would be present.

The picture reminds us that insitutionalized racism and segregation did not happen that long ago in the United States. And it is disturbing to see a present-day NFL owner be depicted in one of these scenes, as historic as they may be.

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