Micah Parsons is beating his new Dallas Cowboys teammates in chess

Micah Parsons has been learning from the vets with the Cowboys, but he’s also taking no prisoners in chess matches.

Micah Parsons appears to be settling in just fine in his new football surroundings with the Dallas Cowboys. Fresh off a freshly signed rookie contract, Parsons is already making sure to listen to the lessons of the veterans opening up their arms for him in Big D.

The former Penn State linebacker has been saying all the right things about getting himself caught up to speed and he has backed that up by listening to veterans and taking coaching from his new coaches with the Cowboys. For as much talent as Parsons has, he knows he has a long way to go to live up to the billing of the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft carries.

“It’s one thing to cover or tackle,” said Parsons in a minicamp notebook story from Jori Epstein of USA TODAY. “But if you can do the trifecta and do all three — cover, tackle, and blitz and get pressure — then that’s what makes you a good ballplayer.”

It should be no surprise Parsons is open to feedback and instruction from those around him within the Cowboys franchise. After being drafted, Parsons made it known he was hoping to be able to learn from recently-retired linebacker Sean Lee. Lee spent his entire NFL career with the Cowboys after a stellar career at Penn State.

But it’s not all hard work on the practice field and in the film room as Micah Parsons gets acclimated to the NFL. Parsons is also challenging his new teammates to rounds of chess. And it seems Parsons is taking no prisoners. His latest victim was Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper.

If Parsons can make the moves on the football field on Sundays that he is making on the practice field and on the chessboard, it could be checkmate for opposing offenses in the NFC East.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

[vertical-gallery id=2575]

[listicle id=3045]

[lawrence-related id=3583,2862,2745,2736,2613,2646]