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SPORTS Saturday 14 april 2018

DEZ BRYANT
Continued on Page 17
"This was not an easy de-
cision," Jones said. "It was
made based upon doing
what we believe is in the
best interest of the Dallas
Cowboys. We arrived at this
crossroad collectively with
input from several voices
within the organization."
Jones' statement was more
fodder for Bryant, who
tweeted, "Key words in this
statement.. Several input..
something I already knew."
Bryant and Jones had a
unique relationship be-
cause of the trouble that
surrounded the receiver
early in his career. Off-field
concerns were the reason
the Cowboys got him; he
slid to near the bottom of
the first round of the 2010
draft. Dallas traded up
three spots to get him.
Before the three most pro-
lific seasons of his career,
when Bryant averaged
1,312 yards and nearly 14
touchdowns per year, he In this Nov. 30, 2017, file photo, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) catches a pass for a touchdown over Washington
got tangled in lawsuits over Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) in the second half of an NFL football game, in Arlington, Texas.
unpaid jewelry bills and Associated Press
had a baggy pants inci-
dent with police at an up- Jones said in his statement. the NFC East and just their Bryant never found the agency, adding Allen Hurns
scale Dallas mall. "Dez and I share a personal second playoff game since same on-field rapport with after the four-year pro was
The most serious problem and professional relation- the last of the franchise's Dak Prescott that he had released by Jacksonville.
was a domestic incident ship that is very strong, and five Super Bowls following with Tony Romo, who lost Six-year journeyman Deon-
involving his mother in 2012, he is one of just a handful of the 1995 season. his job during Prescott's re- te Thompson was another
with Bryant pleading guilty players with whom I have Bryant battled injuries each markable rookie season addition.
and eventually having the become that close to over of the past two years as after Romo injured his back While Hurns is the most likely
charge dismissed when he the past 30 years." well, but when healthy he in the preseason in 2016. candidate to be the No.
stayed out of trouble for a With 73 touchdown catch- wasn't the same receiver Romo was released last off- 1 receiver, the Cowboys
year. es, Bryant tops a Dallas list who had the famous catch season and retired. could take a wideout in the
Bryant also was a distrac- that includes Hall of Fame that wasn't against Green "Cowboy nation I need first round for the first time
tion throughout his career receivers Bob Hayes (71) Bay in a loss that kept the you to know this wasn't my since getting Bryant.
with sideline rants, even ad- and Michael Irvin (65). Tight Cowboys out of the NFC decision.. I will always love "No one will understand the
mitting late last season that end Jason Witten, who is championship game three y'all... forever Dallas in my love and the passion you
he let frustrations affect him getting ready for his 16th years ago. He was second heart," Bryant wrote in one have for the game," De-
during perhaps his most dif- season, has 68 career TD in the NFL with 11 drops last post, which came only min- Marcus Lawrence wrote as
ficult year in the league. He catches. season, according to spor- utes after he tweeted, "let's one of several now-former
said some of the frustration A dramatic dip in produc- tradar. start the process" in a refer- teammates to reach out to
was rooted in the offensive tion started when Bryant After getting 56 of his touch- ence to free agency. Bryant on Twitter. "Wish you
scheme. broke his foot in the open- downs in his first five sea- The Cowboys left little nothing but the best! I know
"He will always be a val- er in 2015, a year after he sons, Bryant had 17 his last doubt they were in the you'll be throwing up the X
ued member of our family," helped the Cowboys win three with the Cowboys. market for receivers in free soon enough!"q