As we, NFL Spin Zone, reported yesterday Dez Bryant was arrested and then quickly released on bond, for a domestic abuse charge. Word is now leaking that the victim was Dez’s mother. According to ESPN Dallas, Dez was in an argument with his half brother but wound up pushing his mother Angela.
“Police say Bryant grabbed his mother by the wrist, slapped her across the face and pulled her hair during an argument Saturday. It was unclear what the argument was about” is how the incident occurred according to the Dallas Morning News.
When police responded to the scene on Saturday night no arrests were made, but after charges were made on Monday Dez quickly turned himself in.
Desoto Police Captain Ron “Smith said that officers at the scene did not see any visible injuries. Smith said the injuries — pain and swelling — “took a day or two to come forward.” After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Bryant turned himself in Monday and was booked without incident.” according to a different ESPN Dallas report.
His mother is also the one who dialed 911, and you can hear the call here.
“He feels bad about having to find out that a warrant was out and having to turn himself in, but I know that we’re going to be cooperating with law enforcement to bring this thing to closure,” Bryant’s attorney State Senator Royce West told WFFA-TV. “He’s kind of down right now. The reality is, we haven’t heard a lot about Dez Bryant at all since the season.”
Police told KDFW-TV in Dallas that the victim was a female family member and the charge was a Class A misdemeanor (which is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 dollars and a year in jail). The report also said that the woman involved did not need to go to the hospital for any injuries she sustained.
Other than that bit of info everyone is being silent. Drew Rosenhaus, Bryant’s agent has declined to comment. According to TMZ, Dez Bryant was asked by a local reporter about the incident and he simply responded with “I’m good.”
“We are in the process of gathering information and will not have a comment at this time,” a Dallas Cowboys spokesman said in a statement.
The question is whether the star receiver will be subject to any punishment by the league for violating it’s conduct policy. Despite being his first arrest it isn’t his first run in with the law. In January he was detained by police in Miami following an incident with rapper Lil Wayne. He also was temporarily band from a local mall for various behavioral problems including “sagging” his pants. Bryant has also had financial issues around jewelry he bought but didn’t necessarily pay for. A suspension could be detrimental to a team with Superbowl aspirations but is lacking depth at the wide receiver position.
Dallas Morning News’ Rick Gosselin thinks the Cowboys should send Bryant a message.
“It’s time the Cowboys let Bryant know this type of behavior will no longer be tolerated. Suspend him and let him have a month to experience life without football and a paycheck,” Gosselin wrote Monday evening. “Maybe he’ll understand what a privilege it is playing in the NFL. If not, cut him. Let him take his baggage elsewhere. Goodbye and good riddance.”
The Cowboys and there fans though seem to be bracing for the impact this could have on their season.
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