Football Deion Cuts Ties with Dez Bryant

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-25-2011, 01:21 PM

Deion Sanders: Dez Bryant needs help

By Tim MacMahon
ESPNDallas.com

Deion Sanders, who stopped mentoring Dez Bryant months ago, strongly criticized the Dallas Cowboys receiver in reaction to the criminal trespass warning given to Bryant over the weekend at a Dallas mall. "I'm upset but not surprised whatsoever," Sanders said on The Ben & Skin Show on ESPN 103.3 FM in Dallas. Sanders described Bryant's behavior at NorthPark Center on Saturday as "ignorant." The 2010 first-round pick was issued the warning after an off-duty police officer requested that Bryant and his friends pull up their pants because their underwear was showing and Bryant responded with repeated profanity, according to the police report

Bryant, who was stung by Sanders' comments, is adamant that the only thing he did wrong at the mall is use profanity toward a police officer, whom Bryant claims shoved him into the back as he was escorting him outside. "I feel like the cop was in the wrong here more than anything," Bryant told ESPNDallas.com on Friday. "Don't just make it seem like I went off and had a hot head for no reason. That's the only thing I did wrong -- I used profanity."

Still Sanders said Bryant has issues stemming from his difficult childhood. "He needs help. He needs help," Sanders said. "I told the Cowboys from Day One that he needs help. Matter of fact, they have a team in place to help him. But you cannot tell a grown man what to do." Sanders, who was recently selected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and serves as a mentor to many NFL players, said he ended his relationship with Bryant over the summer due to the receiver's dishonesty.

"I wish Deion would come to me as a man and talk to me," Bryant told ESPNDallas.com. "I've been reaching out to Deion. I've never done anything wrong to Deion or disrespected him. I've never lied to Deion." The NCAA suspended Bryant in September 2009 for the rest of that season for lying about having lunch with Sanders. No other rules violations were found, but Sanders said it bothered him that he took a lot of the blame for Bryant's lie. However, Sanders said the relationship continued until he became concerned that Bryant could negatively influence children in Sanders' youth program.

Sanders added that he felt like he could not help Bryant. "I don't have a problem with you lying to me. That's one thing," Sanders said. "But when you lie to yourself as a man, you have a serious problem and that's where this kid is. And I can't condone it. I really can't. It tarnishes everything else I'm trying to develop in these kids [in his youth program]. I can't allow you to poison other kids that I'm trying to mentor and take to another level."

Bryant is still banned from the mall, NorthPark Center, for an undetermined length of time, according to officials. However, NorthPark Center officials said they would like to meet with Bryant's attorney, Texas Senator Royce West, to solve the issue. West has been at the state capital, Austin, conducting state business and hasn't been able to speak with NorthPark Center officials. David Wells, an adviser for Bryant, met with NorthPark Center officials on Wednesday. David Margulies, a spokesman for NorthPark Center, said Bryant didn't have his pants sagging but his friend did, confirming what Bryant told ESPNDallas.com. "We would like to have everything resolved," Margulies said. "The attorneys have been playing phone tag if you will." The trespass warning can't be rescinded, but NorthPark Center can allow Bryant to return to the shopping center if he doesn't cause any trouble. It would be up to NorthPark Center security to determine if they want to call police.

Bryant has not returned to the shopping center since Saturday's incident. Meanwhile, Bryant said Sanders has refused to talk to him since he backed out of his marketing deal with Under Armour, a popular shoe and apparel company that also outfits Sanders' youth athletic programs. The deal fell apart, according to Bryant, because he determined during last year's minicamps that the company's cleats weren't the right fit for his feet. Bryant, who wears Nike cleats but does not have a shoe deal, said Sanders has ignored repeated text messages from him since then.

"I never knew the reason for Deion not saying anything to me," Bryant said. "The only thing I can believe is that when I stopped talking to Under Armour, Deion stopped talking to me. I never knew what Prime's problem was. "That's my decision. That has nothing to do with Prime. That made me feel he must be getting something from Under Armour." Sanders praised the effort of Wells, whom Sanders has had a relationship with since playing for the Cowboys in the 1990s. But Sanders made it clear that he has no intention of being involved in Bryant's life again.

"I haven't spoken to the kid," Sanders said. "I have no desire to speak to the kid. In regards to me, I can forgive, but I can't forget. You can't tarnish the other things that I have going on and the other kids. It's sort of like I can't allow something to poison the fruit of many other kids. I can't do it, so I cut off those ties a long time ago." Bryant said he no longer wants a relationship with Sanders, one of his idols as a child growing up in Lufkin, Texas. Bryant just wants a man-to-man conversation with his former mentor to discuss their differences, especially after learning of Sanders' pointed comments Friday.

"It bothers me more than anything," Bryant said. "I've looked up to Deion my whole life. I've never done anything wrong to him. "The only thing I can think of is the Under Armour situation. That's the only thing. He didn't want me to leave Under Armour, but I had to do what's best for me. That's the whole truth."

Hammock Parties · 03-25-2011, 01:26 PM

He acts like he's 14. Glad we didn't draft this knucklehead. At least Bowe pulls up his pants.

Hays · 03-25-2011, 01:27 PM

Another kid messed in the head. Has talent but will let his head get in the way.

Frazod · 03-25-2011, 01:32 PM

If you're such a complete punk that Deion Sanders can't even deal with you......

Damn.

**notorious** · 03-25-2011, 01:33 PM

Unavoidable implosion.

That kid doesn't stand a chance.

blaise · 03-25-2011, 01:38 PM

Bryant just doesn't get it and it doesn't look like he's the type that ever will. To be a grown man and get thrown out of a mall is nothing short of moronic. You should have grown out of that phase at age 14.

ModSocks · 03-25-2011, 01:39 PM

Is it Bryant or is it Deion?

Sounds to me like Neon helped get bryant that Nike Contract, Bryant didn't fulfill his obligations and now it looks bad on Deion.

Just pulled that out of my ass, but it's possible.

ModSocks · 03-25-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Bryant just doesn't get it and it doesn't look like he's the type that ever will. To be a grown man and get thrown out of a mall is nothing short of moronic. You should have grown out of that phase at age 14.

In his defense, it was an off duty cop. And he can wear whatever he wants however he wants to wear it.

If some random guy in the mall were to try to tell you how to dress, what would you do?

I'd tell him to **** off, and make it loud and clear. Most would probably do the same.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-25-2011, 01:42 PM

This is the same dumb sonofabitch who left his cleats at home for his Pro Day. They should rename red flags "Dez Bryants".

"Well, Boom, this kid is a tremendous player, but he does have a number of Dez Bryants."

Skyy God · 03-25-2011, 01:43 PM

The same Deion who indirectly led to Bryant's Okie State suspension. That guy's a regular Mother Theresa.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-25-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pittsie

The same Deion who indirectly led to Bryant's Okie State suspension. That guy's a regular Mother Theresa.

Yeah, in no way was it Bryant lying to the NCAA that got him suspended.

milkman · 03-25-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

In his defense, it was an off duty cop. And he can wear whatever he wants however he wants to wear it.

If some random guy in the mall were to try to tell you how to dress, what would you do?

I'd tell him to **** off, and make it loud and clear. Most would probably do the same.

If it's an off duty cop working as mall security, then it's likely that he was wearing a security uniform.

Bryant also states that it while he was being escorted out of the mall that he went on his profanity laced tirade, which means that the off duty cop's identity had been already established.

blaise · 03-25-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

In his defense, it was an off duty cop. And he can wear whatever he wants however he wants to wear it.

If some random guy in the mall were to try to tell you how to dress, what would you do?

I'd tell him to **** off, and make it loud and clear. Most would probably do the same.

I wouldn't be hanging out at the mall with a group of dudes, for one thing. And if I was Dez Bryant I would have just left. Otherwise you end up looking like a juvenile ass, just like he did.

**notorious** · 03-25-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Yeah, in no way was it Bryant lying to the NCAA that got him suspended.

This.

JohninGpt · 03-25-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Bryant just doesn't get it and it doesn't look like he's the type that ever will. To be a grown man and get thrown out of a mall is nothing short of moronic. You should have grown out of that phase at age 14.

A grown man with his ass hanging out of his pants is moronic as well.

03-25-2011, 01:21 PM
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Deion Cuts Ties with Dez Bryant Deion Sanders: Dez Bryant needs help By Tim MacMahon ESPNDallas.com Deion Sanders, who stopped mentoring Dez Bryant months ago, strongly criticized the Dallas Cowboys receiver in reaction to the criminal trespass warning given to Bryant over the weekend at a Dallas mall. "I'm upset but not surprised whatsoever," Sanders said on The Ben & Skin Show on ESPN 103.3 FM in Dallas. Sanders described Bryant's behavior at NorthPark Center on Saturday as "ignorant." The 2010 first-round pick was issued the warning after an off-duty police officer requested that Bryant and his friends pull up their pants because their underwear was showing and Bryant responded with repeated profanity, according to the police report Bryant, who was stung by Sanders' comments, is adamant that the only thing he did wrong at the mall is use profanity toward a police officer, whom Bryant claims shoved him into the back as he was escorting him outside. "I feel like the cop was in the wrong here more than anything," Bryant told ESPNDallas.com on Friday. "Don't just make it seem like I went off and had a hot head for no reason. That's the only thing I did wrong -- I used profanity." Still Sanders said Bryant has issues stemming from his difficult childhood. "He needs help. He needs help," Sanders said. "I told the Cowboys from Day One that he needs help. Matter of fact, they have a team in place to help him. But you cannot tell a grown man what to do." Sanders, who was recently selected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and serves as a mentor to many NFL players, said he ended his relationship with Bryant over the summer due to the receiver's dishonesty. "I wish Deion would come to me as a man and talk to me," Bryant told ESPNDallas.com. "I've been reaching out to Deion. I've never done anything wrong to Deion or disrespected him. I've never lied to Deion." The NCAA suspended Bryant in September 2009 for the rest of that season for lying about having lunch with Sanders. No other rules violations were found, but Sanders said it bothered him that he took a lot of the blame for Bryant's lie. However, Sanders said the relationship continued until he became concerned that Bryant could negatively influence children in Sanders' youth program. Sanders added that he felt like he could not help Bryant. "I don't have a problem with you lying to me. That's one thing," Sanders said. "But when you lie to yourself as a man, you have a serious problem and that's where this kid is. And I can't condone it. I really can't. It tarnishes everything else I'm trying to develop in these kids [in his youth program]. I can't allow you to poison other kids that I'm trying to mentor and take to another level." Bryant is still banned from the mall, NorthPark Center, for an undetermined length of time, according to officials. However, NorthPark Center officials said they would like to meet with Bryant's attorney, Texas Senator Royce West, to solve the issue. West has been at the state capital, Austin, conducting state business and hasn't been able to speak with NorthPark Center officials. David Wells, an adviser for Bryant, met with NorthPark Center officials on Wednesday. David Margulies, a spokesman for NorthPark Center, said Bryant didn't have his pants sagging but his friend did, confirming what Bryant told ESPNDallas.com. "We would like to have everything resolved," Margulies said. "The attorneys have been playing phone tag if you will." The trespass warning can't be rescinded, but NorthPark Center can allow Bryant to return to the shopping center if he doesn't cause any trouble. It would be up to NorthPark Center security to determine if they want to call police. Bryant has not returned to the shopping center since Saturday's incident. Meanwhile, Bryant said Sanders has refused to talk to him since he backed out of his marketing deal with Under Armour, a popular shoe and apparel company that also outfits Sanders' youth athletic programs. The deal fell apart, according to Bryant, because he determined during last year's minicamps that the company's cleats weren't the right fit for his feet. Bryant, who wears Nike cleats but does not have a shoe deal, said Sanders has ignored repeated text messages from him since then. "I never knew the reason for Deion not saying anything to me," Bryant said. "The only thing I can believe is that when I stopped talking to Under Armour, Deion stopped talking to me. I never knew what Prime's problem was. "That's my decision. That has nothing to do with Prime. That made me feel he must be getting something from Under Armour." Sanders praised the effort of Wells, whom Sanders has had a relationship with since playing for the Cowboys in the 1990s. But Sanders made it clear that he has no intention of being involved in Bryant's life again. "I haven't spoken to the kid," Sanders said. "I have no desire to speak to the kid. In regards to me, I can forgive, but I can't forget. You can't tarnish the other things that I have going on and the other kids. It's sort of like I can't allow something to poison the fruit of many other kids. I can't do it, so I cut off those ties a long time ago." Bryant said he no longer wants a relationship with Sanders, one of his idols as a child growing up in Lufkin, Texas. Bryant just wants a man-to-man conversation with his former mentor to discuss their differences, especially after learning of Sanders' pointed comments Friday. "It bothers me more than anything," Bryant said. "I've looked up to Deion my whole life. I've never done anything wrong to him. "The only thing I can think of is the Under Armour situation. That's the only thing. He didn't want me to leave Under Armour, but I had to do what's best for me. That's the whole truth."
Posts: 74,826

03-25-2011, 01:26 PM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4690478	He acts like he's 14. Glad we didn't draft this knucklehead. At least Bowe pulls up his pants. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,964

03-25-2011, 01:27 PM	#3
Hays Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Columbia MO Casino cash: $8409582	Another kid messed in the head. Has talent but will let his head get in the way.
Posts: 487

03-25-2011, 01:32 PM	#4
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3105085	If you're such a complete punk that Deion Sanders can't even deal with you...... Damn.
Posts: 119,489

03-25-2011, 01:33 PM	#5
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2905884	Unavoidable implosion. That kid doesn't stand a chance.
Posts: 83,396

03-25-2011, 01:38 PM	#6
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	Bryant just doesn't get it and it doesn't look like he's the type that ever will. To be a grown man and get thrown out of a mall is nothing short of moronic. You should have grown out of that phase at age 14.
Posts: 22,188

03-25-2011, 01:39 PM	#7
ModSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $4274563	Is it Bryant or is it Deion? Sounds to me like Neon helped get bryant that Nike Contract, Bryant didn't fulfill his obligations and now it looks bad on Deion. Just pulled that out of my ass, but it's possible. __________________ Life is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason, but it can't stay hard forever.
Posts: 64,340

03-25-2011, 01:42 PM	#9
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	This is the same dumb sonofabitch who left his cleats at home for his Pro Day. They should rename red flags "Dez Bryants". "Well, Boom, this kid is a tremendous player, but he does have a number of Dez Bryants." __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,826

03-25-2011, 01:43 PM	#10
Skyy God 11-5, baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Livin the dream Casino cash: $2191557	The same Deion who indirectly led to Bryant's Okie State suspension. That guy's a regular Mother Theresa.
Posts: 22,416