Dez Bryant is a 26-year-old child.
That is exactly how the Dallas Cowboys have treated him since he was drafted five years ago.
He slipped to the 24th overall pick in the 2010 draft because of “character concerns”, and then he had some off-the-field missteps early in his career.
But Bryant has proven to be a superstar wide receiver in the NFL. On the field, he has all the tools to be the best. Off the field is a different story and the Cowboys know this well.
That is why in 2012, the team added a few babysitting stipulations to his contract.
They included a midnight curfew, no consumption of alcohol, no visits to any “gentlemen’s” clubs and counselling sessions twice a week.
A three-man security team watches Bryant during all hours and drives him to practices, games and other team functions.
Bryant is in the final year of his rookie contract, so he is looking for the big-boy money.
He hired a new agent and was hoping to jump-start negotiations while Dallas is on their bye week.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he wanted to make Bryant a Cowboy for life and was proud “like a daddy” at Bryant’s development. But before the season, Bryant scoffed at the Cowboys’ best offer, which was a 10-year deal that averaged close to US$12 million (Dh44m) per year and included $20m in guaranteed money.
Sounds like a very generous allowance, considering he does not have to mow the lawn or take out the trash.
His only chore is to catch touchdowns.
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