Dez Bryant has gone through a rough patch the last couple years in the NFL. The supremely talented yet enigmatic receiver has caught the injury bug of late and it has hurt his status as one of the league’s premiere wideouts.
The Dallas News’ Cowboys beat reporter Jon Machota posted a stat with the receivers that have the most yards since 2012 and Dez ranked 8th. Behind guys like Antonio Brown, T.Y. Hilton, A.J. Green, Brandon Marshall, and Calvin Johnson. Not terrible, but you would expect Bryant to be among the top three.
Someone on Twitter saw the stat and decided to share their thoughts on the star wide receiver. Bryant was not having it, telling the Twitter user to “shut the fuck up.”
What the Twitter user says is not incorrect. Dez does need to start playing full seasons or he will find it difficult to stick on the Cowboys roster. But, Dez’s reaction should not be dismissed as an athlete that’s too sensitive or can’t take criticism.
Too often the mainstream looks at these athletes as assets, commodities, and machines. In short, anything but human. Despite their talents, they are people first who often experience the full range of human emotions and problems just like everyone else. We have no idea what kind of physical, personal and/or emotional issues Dez is dealing with off the field. Before you judge look at your own life. When things are not going well for you in your personal life or at home, how often does it impact you at work?