Football Deion Cuts Ties with Dez Bryant - Page 2

'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."

**notorious** · 03-25-2011, 01:55 PM

Dez has the athletic ability of a God yet the mental capacity of a 9 year old.

chiefsnorth · 03-25-2011, 01:56 PM

I feel bad in a way because with his upbringing he was really behind the 8 ball to start with. But at some point you have to be responsible for your choices

Maybe he was just shopping like any of us, but does it seem weird that a supposedly grown man is cruising a mall with his friends causing trouble with the mall cops? Doesn't seem like a situation a mature player would put himself in... If making it as a star in the NFL doesn't help you grow up then what will?

ModSocks · 03-25-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

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.

Uhm, you've never gone to the mall with your friends? Strange.

I'm still skeptical on how all of this went down.

I'm imagining myself shopping with some friends and some random prick says to me "hey, pull up your pants" (not that I sag, but hypothetical here).

He would likely get a big "go **** yourself" from me. At which point, words will be had back and forth. Anger would ensue.

Off duty cop or not, if the guy was being a dick initially, I'd be pissed too.

ModSocks · 03-25-2011, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

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.

Ah, ok, that changes things then.

yeah, he shoulda just

.

milkman · 03-25-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsnorth

I feel bad in a way because with his upbringing he was really behind the 8 ball to start with. But at some point you have to be responsible for your choices

Maybe he was just shopping like any of us, but does it seem weird that a supposedly grown man is cruising a mall with his friends causing trouble with the mall cops? Doesn't seem like a situation a mature player would put himself in... If making it as a star in the NFL doesn't help you grow up then what will?

Listening to ESPN Radio, Brant apparently spent thousands of dollars at The Foot Locker and a couple of other stores there over the course of the season.

Mall businesses are not happy that he has been banned (bandt?) for three months.

Frazod · 03-25-2011, 02:06 PM

I wonder how many times he asked the cop "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?????"

chiefsnorth · 03-25-2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Listening to ESPN Radio, Brant apparently spent thousands of dollars at The Foot Locker and a couple of other stores there over the course of the season.

Mall businesses are not happy that he has been banned (bandt?) for three months.

I can see it. He won't be wealthy for long, they better get their taste while they can.

milkman · 03-25-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I wonder how many times he asked the cop "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?????"

I was thinking at least we didn't get reports that he said that.

jamesincanada · 03-25-2011, 02:10 PM

should have just kept his mouth shut. doesn't help the players cause either

i know one doesn't rep all but it will still stick with people

blaise · 03-25-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Uhm, you've never gone to the mall with your friends? Strange.

I'm still skeptical on how all of this went down.

I'm imagining myself shopping with some friends and some random prick says to me "hey, pull up your pants" (not that I sag, but hypothetical here).

He would likely get a big "go **** yourself" from me. At which point, words will be had back and forth. Anger would ensue.

Off duty cop or not, if the guy was being a dick initially, I'd be pissed too.

No, not after about the age of 17, I haven't gone to the mall with a group of dudes. Seems gay.
And good for him, he told a mall cop to go **** himself, great victory for him, and now 75% of the people who read the story think he's an ass.

**Gadzooks** · 03-25-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

David Wells, an adviser for Bryant, met with NorthPark Center officials on Wednesday.

There's you problem.

Chiefnj2 · 03-25-2011, 03:03 PM

What an untimely article. Sanders cut off ties with him some time ago.

**Dylan** · 03-25-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

"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."

Follow the money.

easymobee · 03-25-2011, 04:55 PM

Hes an idiot.

Doesn't necessarily mean he cant play football, but doesnt necessarily mean he can read either.

The truly idiotic cant avoid the headlines (lindsey lohan) Dez is good at acting stupid in public.

milkman · 03-25-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easymobee

Hes an idiot.

Doesn't necessarily mean he cant play football, but doesnt necessarily mean he can read either.

The truly idiotic cant avoid the headlines (lindsey lohan) Dez is good at acting stupid in public.

Acting?

03-25-2011, 01:21 PM
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7989572	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: 74,835

03-25-2011, 01:55 PM	#16
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2735884	Dez has the athletic ability of a God yet the mental capacity of a 9 year old.
Posts: 83,524

03-25-2011, 01:56 PM	#17
chiefsnorth Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	I feel bad in a way because with his upbringing he was really behind the 8 ball to start with. But at some point you have to be responsible for your choices Maybe he was just shopping like any of us, but does it seem weird that a supposedly grown man is cruising a mall with his friends causing trouble with the mall cops? Doesn't seem like a situation a mature player would put himself in... If making it as a star in the NFL doesn't help you grow up then what will?
Posts: 1,808

03-25-2011, 02:06 PM	#21
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2935085	I wonder how many times he asked the cop "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?????"
Posts: 119,519

03-25-2011, 02:10 PM	#24
jamesincanada Starter Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: downtown canada Casino cash: $10011164	should have just kept his mouth shut. doesn't help the players cause either i know one doesn't rep all but it will still stick with people
Posts: 85

03-25-2011, 03:03 PM	#27
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7853688	What an untimely article. Sanders cut off ties with him some time ago. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,394

03-25-2011, 04:55 PM	#29
easymobee _\|_ (^_^) _\|_ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Playoffs Casino cash: $10005075	Hes an idiot. Doesn't necessarily mean he cant play football, but doesnt necessarily mean he can read either. The truly idiotic cant avoid the headlines (lindsey lohan) Dez is good at acting stupid in public. __________________ ...............................
Posts: 607