‘I’m not the Grinch’ – Brian Schottenheimer clears the air behind Trevon Diggs controversy following release from Cowboys
Schottenheimer provided more details behind Trevon Diggs missing the plane back after the Cowboys’ Christmas Day win.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has a very simple travel policy: “We go up as a team, we come back as a team.”
Why are we even talking about team travel policy ahead of the Cowboys’ regular season finale? Trevon Diggs, who was released earlier in the week, was not on the team plane when the Cowboys returned from their Christmas Day win over the Washington Commanders in Week 17.
And while staying behind wasn’t the only reason why Diggs was cut, Schottenheimer cleared the air on the controversial story that emerged following the news.
Schottenheimer denied Diggs’ postgame request
Speaking on a press conference Wednesday, Schottenheimer said Diggs didn’t tell him about his request until after the game. He denied it, and then Diggs missed the plane.
“It was one of many factors, it was not the only factor,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “I’m not the Grinch that stole Christmas, I love Christmas, I love my family. But at the end of the day we have a protocol that we go through. First time I heard about it, Trevon grabbed me after the game.”
Schottenheimer insisted it was not the only reason why the Cowboys’ decision was made. Instead it was multiple factors, including “performance.”
And yet, it’s clear missing the team plane after the permission was explicitly denied likely played a big role in the timing of the release. And regardless of what your opinion may be on Schottenheimer’s stance for Christmas Day, you have to respect the fact that it went for the entire team.
“My protocol—unless there is a family emergency or something specific—the protocol is we all go up,” Schottenheimer added. “Other players had asked, and they were all told the same thing. I made that very clear to Trevon, and he certainly didn’t agree.”
Why the protocol?
After Schottenheimer was asked about how travel protocols go on previous teams he’s been on, he further explained the reasoning behind his mentality.
“Most places I’ve been, you go up as a team, you go back as a team,” Schottenheimer said. “Why? We’re family. These guys had three days of, and you guys know I flew back with the team and the next morning I jumped on a plane. I wanted our guys to get away. It’s just something that’s important to me.
“You guys know how important culture is. When you win, it’s fun to be together and celebrate. And when you lose, it’s good to be together to talk and discuss. And try to work through the problem. [. . .] That’s the way that we operate here as the Dallas Cowboys.”
Here’s the bottom line: Schottenheimer has talked a big game about culture. And he’s backed it up so far. Moving on from Diggs had a lot of reasons. But if this was the straw that broke the camel’s back, it was more than justified.
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