Dez Bryant’s mouth has landed him in hot water again, and this time it’s over Pride Month. The former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, known for his outspoken nature, took to social media on Monday to voice his displeasure with the ML Football League’s acknowledgment of Pride Month, per Josh Sanchez of Sports Illustrated. The league posted on X, saying things like “Football is gay” and “Football is for everyone,” prompting Bryant to respond. “These are wild statements to make,” he posted. “Excuse my silliness. I’m going to proudly tell my boys football is none of these things. I have nothing against Gays, but this is far from right.” He doubled down with a harsher follow-up: “It’s gay players in the NFL, but forcing it in people’s faces, especially children, can send the wrong message. Football is a real community, like the gay community. Imagine telling gays they have to advocate for straight people. They probably would have a problem.”
It’s a stance that’s drawn backlash, especially since Pride Month, held in June, commemorates the Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The NFL has acknowledged Pride Month since 2017, but Bryant’s comments are part of a pattern. He’s no stranger to controversy, having lashed out at Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after a loss to the 49ers in late October and engaging in a physical altercation with his mother, Angela, in 2012 that was caught on tape by TMZ. That incident saw him hitting her with a baseball cap and tearing her shirt during a scuffle. Then there was the time he owned a capuchin monkey, drawing the ire of PETA. He’s called former teammate Sean Lee a “snake,” criticized the team’s playcalling, and trolled Jay-Z amid rumors of the rapper becoming a Washington Commanders owner. Bryant’s not one to hold back, and his latest comments are just another chapter in a career marked by outspokenness.
For Bryant, it’s about drawing a line, but for many, it’s about respect and inclusion. The NFL’s embrace of Pride Month is part of a broader cultural shift, and Bryant’s resistance is a reminder that not everyone’s on board. It’s a debate that’s bigger than football, touching on issues of visibility, acceptance, and the role of sports in society. Bryant’s comments might ruffle feathers, but they’re also a reflection of his personality—a player who’s never shied away from saying what’s on his mind, for better or worse. Stay tuned, because with Bryant, you never know what’s coming next.
