Owner Jerry Jones spoke publicly for the first time since the team's indoor practice facility collapsed and sent 12 people to the hospital for treatment. Most serious among the injuries was the permanent paralysis of scouting assistant Rich Behm.
Jones said the Cowboys have been purposeful in limiting the information and communication about the tragic events. Legally, they have been advised not to go into to great detail because of potential lawsuits.
Secondly, many of the people who were involved in the tragedy are still psychologically impacted by event. The team doesn't want to further traumatize those involved or their families.
Jones also said the team doesn't really have enough facts to have a detailed discussion. He wants to wait until the completion of the investigation before making comments.
"Completeness of information, the legal aspects and the consideration of the people that were injured are all a part of why you restrict your comments," Jones said.
Jones and the Cowboys remain overwhelmed by the wreckage. Jones was shocked when he first viewed the collapsed structure. He said he was thankful more personal injury didn't occur as a result.
"I didn't have a thought about what caused it or repairing it or doing anything like that," Jones said. "It was purely about how fortunate we were that we didn't have more injuries and how sorry we were that we did have some injuries."
Behm, who was paralyzed from the waist down, and has recently moved from Parkland Memorial Hospital into a rehabilitation facility.
Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, who suffered a fractured neck, and assistant athletic trainer Greg Gaither, who suffered a broken fibula and tibia, were released from the hospital and are resting at home.
DeCamillis will work from home and the Cowboys are hoping he will be back on the field at least on a part-time basis by the start of training camp.
Assistant coach Wes Phillips will pick up some of his special teams duties in the interim.
Jones will talk about one thing -- the pride and admiration he has for the rookies who have since become bonded because of their actions following the accident.
Many went back to help other employees get out safely.
"It's just coming to light more and more every day," Jones said. "I don't know that I've ever been prouder -- and I don't know them that well -- of a group of players, those rookie players and certainly the coaches that were out there.
"The real story for me right now is the effort that the players and coaches made to help each other without regard for their own safety in a trying time."
