Thousands took to the streets for another weekend of protests in cities across the country. Among the notable gatherings was the protest in Austin in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Sunday marked the tenth straight day of demonstrations in the Texas state capital, with a spotlight on social injustice, police violence, and racial inequality.
Ex-Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was among those paying attention, but he also took the opportunity to name-drop a few notables from his former place of employment who Bryant felt might have benefitted from making the trip down I-35 from Dallas.
It’s unclear if Bryant personally attended the Austin rally, but he posted the following tweet on Sunday afternoon.
Somebody should have brought Jerry jones Stephen jones and Jason witten to this protest down in Austin……this is not a policy change this is a heart change and yea I said it
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 7, 2020
The Cowboys were among the last of the NFL teams to make an official statement regarding the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. That statement finally came on Friday with the release of a video entitled “Protest to Progress.”
The two-minute video features current Cowboys players Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Sean Lee and others, but also includes local police chiefs, judges, city attorneys, and social service leaders. It’s the first in a promised series of videos that the team says “reflects the organization’s statement regarding the recent tragedies in our country while also disclosing interactions between the team, its players, and community leaders.” According the Cowboys, those internal discussions have been going on for two years.
Bryant, who was released by the team in April 2018, did not elaborate on why he singled out the Cowboys owner, chief operating officer, and long-tenured tight end in his tweet. But he did respond to a few of his followers.
I’m just going based off my personal experiences… https://t.co/26LSO7IUr9
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 7, 2020
You are correct… I don’t feel like I’m calling them out but I feel they will get a different understanding of what unity really look like https://t.co/rsp5Mj5Rjm
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 7, 2020
Witten, the 16-year veteran who signed during the offseason with the Las Vegas Raiders, responded directly to Bryant over the social media platform early Monday morning.
Dez – When I saw your tweet, I tried to call you. I don’t know what you’re feeling, but I do know what I stand for and believe in.
I believe it’s time for change.
I believe we must all listen.
I believe together is the way.Let’s unite and impact change together. Much Love. https://t.co/pzB0bUa9AJ
— Jason Witten (@JasonWitten) June 8, 2020
Witten had already been with the Cowboys for seven seasons when Bryant was a first-round draft pick in 2010. The two were teammates in Dallas through the conclusion of 2017 season.
Bryant responded to Witten’s tweet with a single emoji of folded hands, often meant to indicate prayer, please, or thankfulness.
The three-time Pro Bowl wideout has been lobbying for a return to the NFL. His desire to rejoin the Cowboys has been no secret, with Bryant posting many videos of him working out with Prescott, Elliott, and other former teammates. Some of his posts have even been a direct appeal to Jones to bring him back into the Cowboys fold.
The urgency of his Dallas-comeback campaign has seemed to wane in recent weeks, roughly coinciding with the team’s drafting of Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the first round of this year’s draft. After much fanfare- and even support from Bryant himself– Lamb was issued the No. 88 jersey formerly worn by Bryant.
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