According to sports columnist Michael Silver, Dez Bryant was asked by Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland if his mother was a prostitute. Silver suggests Bryant told him about the conversation just before being drafted.
Bryant was upset but kept his composure as he recounted how he answered Irelands' question. Bryant stated. "No, my mom is not a prostitute. I got mad - really mad - but I didn't show it."
Bryant has endured a lot. He's been labeled in the media as a slacker who skips practices. He was declared ineligible last season by the NCAA for lying about having conversations with Deion Sanders. Now he's being subject to questions of this nature by an NFL franchise.
Yes, Bryant's mother reared him when she was fifteen years old. Yes, she's battled drugs in her life. Yes, she recently came out as a lesbian.
Big deal.
What does the latter have to do with Bryant's character? What does it have to do with his ability as a player? What does it have to do with whether he can make plays on the field or not?
Nothing.
The question was reprehensible to say the least therefore Ireland should be sanctioned. Yes, he issued an apology but that's not good enough. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has no problems levying heavy fines for players who, fairy or unfairly, need discipline. His power should also extend to front-office personnel when needed.
Goodell fined Tennessee Titan Owner Bud Adams $250,000 last season for "flippin' the bird" to Buffalo fans during an NFL contest. If Wilson was fined for his actions what should Ireland's punishment be for asking such an insensitive question?
Fine the Dolphins organization and Ireland. Make Ireland and the entire front-office take diversity training. Not to suggest that the entire Dolphin front-office is like Ireland but birds of a feather do have a tendency to flock together.
Obviously Ireland is not the only one who asks bone-headed questions around the league but he got caught. He clearly crossed the line here. Irelands' question oozes with racial undertones which shows the lack of sensitivity these so-called experts have.
Ireland quite possibly viewed Bryant as a young African-American with a checkered past who comes from "the hood." His mother had some problems growing up so he must also be troubled as well. Because of Irelands' authority and complexion he thinks he can ask questions of this nature and it's acceptable because Bryant has been labeled anyway.
If Tim Tebow had the same upbringing as Bryant I bet NFL executives wouldn't ask him such questions. The media has made Tebow to be the glamour boy who has all the "intangibles." Meanwhile Bryant is the undisciplined African-American from the hood who needs to be watched for wrong-doing.
Facts are Bryant hasn't broken any laws has he? Has he ever been arrested?
Bryant was in good academic standing as he was an All-Academic performer while at Oklahoma State. Other than coming to practice late during his freshman year what has he really done that warrants such unfair treatment?
The media is the biggest culprit here. The media made such a big deal about Bryant meeting with Deion Sanders: Why hasn't the same NCAA sanctioned John Calipari? Didn't he have two Final Four appearances (1996 and 2007) wiped off the books because of wrong-doing?
I guess there's a different set of rules for the white affluent head coaches who command the big-bucks as opposed to African-American student-athletes like Bryant who earn the universities money.
In any event it's time the media lay off Bryant. Let him get his career started with the Dallas Cowboys in peace. Stop the crazy questions and call a spade a spade. Focus on what he brings to the table in terms of talent and intelligence instead of manufacturing negativity.
If the media should do something constructive like call for Ireland to be suspended for what he asked instead of vilifying Bryant unfairly for things he hasn't done.
Make sense?
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