Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is calling for a thorough investigation by the Southlake (Texas) Police Department after he was cited for assault following an incident Sunday in a parking lot of a Mexican restaurant.
Bryant, 37, told Outkick that he confronted two drivers who he said cut him off in traffic. He said an argument escalated with one of the men, a young adult, who allegedly insinuated that "he'll shoot me or whatever." Bryant said he replied that if the man pulled out a gun, "You better use it." Bryant said the man never produced a weapon and instead took out his cellphone to record him, at which point Bryant knocked the phone from his hand. The man then called police, which Bryant said he encouraged.
When officers arrived, they ordered all three men to the ground at gunpoint and handcuffed them. Southlake Police spokesperson Capt. Blas Hernandez said in a news release that officers approached with weapons drawn because 911 calls indicated there was "a possible weapon" at the scene, and that "No firearms were recovered at the scene." Bryant said officers only viewed the man's recording, did not review surveillance footage, and cited only him. He was cited for assault by contact, a Class C misdemeanor with an initial hearing set for Nov. 20 and a $367 fine.
Bryant called the investigation "very one-sided" and said his reputation "mean everything to me." He said he wants police to "Treat everybody fair" and "Do your due diligence on what's actually going on."
Bryant, who last played in the NFL in 2020, was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and still ranks first in Cowboys history with 73 touchdown receptions.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing