Dez Bryant Supports Former OSU Teammate Justin Blackmon
By Mike Dyce
Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon have a lot in common. Not only do they consider each other close friends, they’re former teammates at Oklahoma State University. They also both have gotten into their fair share of trouble early on in their NFL careers. Dez Bryant’s trouble has mostly been financial with lenders though there was a brief period when a North Dallas mall banned Dez Bryant from entering because he got into it with a security officer.
The younger Justin Blackmon has just gotten his second DUI, and an aggravated DUI at that and his rookie season hasn’t even started yet. That makes Dez Bryant’s troubles look fairly innocent, but Bryant is standing by Blackmon and showing his support for his friend.
“He is a great guy,” Bryant said. “If you knew him, you’d be like, ‘I can’t believe it.’ At the same time, I just feel like it’s just a lesson he’s going to have to learn.
“I feel like he’s going to get through it. I know he is, just because of the type of guy he is. I wish the best for him. I know he’s going to come through and he’s going to bounce back and do what he has to do.”
Dez Bryant was expected to go in the Top 10 like Justin Blackmon did a few months ago but he dropped to late in the first round due to character concerns. He’s avoided any criminal trouble and has a clear criminal record but has admitted that managing his money was “overwhelming” at times and the toughest part of the transition from college to the pros.
“Basically, it’s decision making and what you do,” he said. “Some guys make the right decisions, some guys make the wrong decisions. When you make a wrong decision, it’s your choice if you want to learn from it or not.”
Dez Bryant has learned the hard way and is trying to give Blackmon an opportunity to learn from his mistakes as well as Blackmon’s own mistakes before it really becomes a hinderance to his NFL career. This may just be a sign that Bryant is maturing and growing up and his past behavioral problems are behind him.
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