Bill Clinton shocked a group of reporters on Wednesday when he strolled into Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys press conference.
The former president strolled into The Star, the Cowboys’ $1.5billion practice facility in Frisco, while Jones was offering his thoughts on this week’s NFL Draft.
When Jones, 83, looked up to see Clinton walking in he told the group of gathered reporters: ‘Here’s our President Clinton coming through the door out here. He’s coming up here to say hello to us.’
Jones, his son and Cowboys executive vice president Stephen, vice president of player personnel Will McClay and head coach Brian Schottenheimer all stayed at their table answering questions.
But moments later, Clinton walked into the auditorium. As Jones left his seat to go and greet his guest of honor, he tripped over something and nearly fell to the ground.
Cowboys staffers were forced to react quickly and offer their hands to Jones to prevent him from injuring himself.
Bill Clinton stunned reporters when he interrupted Jerry Jones’ Cowboys press conference
Jones nearly fell over as he got up to greet the former president at the team’s $1.5bn facility
Dallas visited the White House three times after Super Bowl wins during Clinton’s presidency
‘He’s been a wonderful not only president but friend over the years,’ Jones said of the 79-year-old Clinton once he had steadied himself. ‘Happy to have you today.’
Clinton responded: ‘Thank you. Glad to see you. Have a good draft day.’
Jones and his Cowboys stars visited the White House three times to celebrate their Super Bowl successes during Clinton’s presidency in 1993, 1994 and 1996.
He has also been seen at a number of sporting events at the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in recent years.
Clinton, an Arkansas native, then joked with Jones about his time as an offensive guard for college football’s Razorbacks in the 1960s.
‘How much did you weigh?’ Clinton asked, to which Jones replied: ‘185 pounds’.
The Cowboys go into this year’s NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday night, with both the 12th and 20th overall picks and Jones has hinted at being aggressive.
But it would make more sense for Dallas to trade down in one of those spots to add extra picks because the defense has several needs.
Stephen Jones revealed star receiver George Pickens will be on the franchise tag next season
The Cowboys don’t have a second-round pick after sending it to the New York Jets in a deal for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams before the trade deadline.
Moving down from 20 and adding a second-rounder plus other picks is one scenario.
However, Stephen Jones did reveal on Wednesday that the Cowboys will place star wide receiver George Pickens on the franchise tag, worth $27.3million, next season.
In a blow to the former Pittsburgh Steelers star, Jones also confirmed there ‘won’t be any negotiations on a long-term deal’ for Pickens this offseason.
