Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is currently expressing dissatisfaction with the media, going so far as to declare in a now-deleted tweet his desire to engage in a boxing match with Stephen A. Smith and Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy.
Using Twitter as an outlet for his frustration, Bryant announced his intention to physically confront both Smith and Portnoy.
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Stephen A. Smith, taken aback by the unexpected tweet, responded in a 12-minute video, expressing disappointment at Bryant’s message. Smith clarified that he has never had an issue with Bryant and emphasized his respect for the former Cowboys player. Bryant acknowledged Smith’s response, affirming that his problem is not with Smith but hinting at plans to share his story and feelings on various matters.
“Dez, I’m sad that you sent that tweet my brother,” Smith said. “For the record, to the audience out there, I’ve never had a problem with Dez Bryant, not one time. I love the X. I used to troll them when they were Cowboy fans but I never had an issue with Dez.”
The situation remains tense, with speculation swirling around whether Bryant will proceed with his boxing challenge. Last month, Bryant inserted himself into controversy when ESPN reporter Malika Andrews faced criticism for not addressing certain issues. Bryant criticized Andrews for her handling of Brandon Miller on draft day and questioned her silence on Josh Giddey’s situation.
He urged Andrews not to frame the issue in racial terms and criticized her upbringing, calling her “a puppet.”
Stephen A. Smith defended Andrews, highlighting the importance of reporting facts as a journalist and emphasizing that not all the facts were known in the Giddey situation. Bryant expressed a willingness to appear on Smith’s show to provide more context, but it appears that the invitation did not materialize. The ongoing tension suggests a complex relationship between Bryant and the media.