NFL Boycott

Dallas bar boycotts NFL games over domestic violence issues

Fed up by NFL attitudes towards abuse, North Dallas bar Jack Mac's Swill & Grill has issued a football boycott and will not show its games at its bar.

"Good Evening Folks, Running a bar in Texas is not the easiest thing in the world, especially when it comes to football, so I hope you will all take the stand with me, as of today, we will no longer show ANY NFL games until the league changes its domestic abuse policies," owner Jack MacDonald said on the bar's Facebook page.

"It has gotten to the point where money is more important than women's and children's health and life are concerned, this is unacceptable in the world that I want to live in. Please join me in my small attempt to stop adding fuel to the fire and money to their coffers."

"I know I can't bring down the NFL. But every once in a while something comes along and you have to take your stance," bar owner Jack MacDonald says.

MacDonald, a veteran bar-owner and restaurateur who opened Jack Mac's in 2012, says he knows he's not about to single-handedly bring down the NFL but felt like it was time to take a stance against the NFL's seeming forgiveness towards domestic abuse.

Two high-profile incidents have emerged in the past week including Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson.

"It's two big guys in one week that come up on the news, but really it's everything that’s going on and the NFL does nothing about it," MacDonald says. "They suspend one of them for a game and the other for a year. Let’s face it, he'll be back on the field before the end of the year. And people will cheer. I heard more people talking about how their fantasy football is blown. Ray Rice knocked a girl out. I don't believe they should get special treatment because they're ball players."

MacDonald says that he doesn't follow football a ton. "But I do have a passion for not hitting people," he says.

He recognizes that not showing football on TV will probably hurt his business with some people. "We have TVs and it’s football season in Texas," he says. "I don't push myself as a sports bar. But when games are on, they’re on, and there’s a demand for it. On Sundays, we would ordinarily play football all day."

For the most part, the comments on the bar's Facebook page have been positive, with patrons affirming their dedication.

"This kind of stuff is why I come to your place," says one. "Considering the massive amounts of business you might lose over this, I applaud you for sticking to your beliefs," says another. One commenter defends the NFL, saying that they did change their policy, and hired some women as senior advisors to help shape their domestic violence and sexual assault policies.

"I'm not trying to accomplish anything or get on a platform," MacDonald says. "I didn't do this for publicity, and I certainly didn't do it for business. I know I can't bring down the NFL. I'm not going to bring them to their knees with my small unheard-of pub in North Dallas. It’s not going to happen. But every once in a while something comes along and you have to take your stance. But any organization that will let people continue to work for them that abuse other people in any shape, form or fashion is unacceptable in the world I want to live."

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Closing News

Longtime Dallas restaurant Sevy's Grill to close after nearly 30 years

Photo courtesy of Sevy's Grill

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A longtime Dallas restaurant is closing in 2026: Sevy's Grill, which has been open at 8201 Preston Rd. near Preston Center for nearly 30 years, will close on June 27, 2026.

According to a release from the owners, they're closing due to what appears to be an increase in rent.

"After months of negotiations, we were not able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement for our fourth 10-year lease," the post said.

The restaurant is located in Preston Sherry Plaza, which was acquired in September 2025 by Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate. Somebody gotta foot the bill.

Sevy's says they are looking at other locations.

"Our focus now is to finish these next 6+ months taking care of our guests and staff at the same caring level we built our brand on: Warm, professional service, consistently good food and a comfortable ambiance where the guest is always first," the post says. "First on our list of priorities is taking care of our guests in December and all the wonderful celebrations of family, friends and business groups. We do still have some availability for reservations, including our last New Years Eve at Preston Sherry. Come celebrate with us as the exciting anticipation of a new year for all of us."

"Our second priority will be the search for a new location to continue doing what we love," they said. "We are already reviewing possible sites and will keep everyone updated regularly."

Owned by chef Jim "Sevy" Severson and his wife Amy Severson, the restaurant has long been a neighborhood favorite with a lively bar scene, and was nominated in CultureMap's 2018 Tastemaker Awards for Best Neighborhood Restaurant. They were a frequent choice for winemaker events and are also known for the longevity of their staff.

"Eight team members have been with us all 29+ years, with an average tenure in the kitchen of 15+ years and a Management team that you all know," their post said. "Come support our staff as we celebrate the next 6+ months.Thank you again for your support through all the normal challenges of running a restaurant as well as economic downturns, market bubbles, Y2K, and of course the COVID era. As I tell my family and friends to “enjoy the ride in life”, wow, what an amazing ride it has been for us! And as always, Sevy’s Grill is here for you."