Dallas Cowboys player Dez Bryant echoed the sentiments of Jermichael Finley on Twitter when asked about players like Colin Kaepernick and Marshawn Lynch using their platform to stand against racism.
Finley called Kaepernick and Lynch selfish attention-seekers for protesting racism during NFL games, adding that it was time for Kap to cut his afro off.
When asked about using his platform to stand up or even speak against racism, Bryant says “I care about Black people, but I have a family to feed”, and considering what happened to Kaepernick, “it’s the wrong place and time to be talking about that”. For Bryant, having a voice isn’t worth losing a check:
Dez Bryant on national anthem protests: “Whatever they got going on with that, that’s them…I don’t really have nothing to say about that.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 16, 2017
Don’t quote me on nothing….y’all asked me about it..and I wasn’t in a mood to talk about it…not saying I don’t care about it https://t.co/PRgTv7ph2E
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) August 16, 2017
I got a family to feed https://t.co/PRgTv7ph2E
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) August 16, 2017
Honestly Jon you need to take this bullshit down because you know how it looks… I’m focused on football right now…. https://t.co/w8YSkYb8fB
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) August 16, 2017
You don’t think it’s something wrong with your job if you can’t speak your mind or stand for what you believe in? https://t.co/CFpRP1QHKD
— riseTFup (@1JOSHLAFLARE) August 16, 2017
Bruh it’s the wrong place and time to be talking about that….I care about my black people…at the same time I have a family https://t.co/9HNgWJ7cFO
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) August 16, 2017
Well that is ridiculously disappointing @DezBryant. You’ll be in the NFL for a few more years, you’ll be black your whole life. IJS. https://t.co/ltrXorTalO
— Morgan (@itsMissMORGAN) August 16, 2017
Listen my life is more than a fucking football get real…I’m disappointed in you.. https://t.co/NPPfVkg4Cf
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) August 16, 2017
And of course, social media had a lot to say…
Instead of getting mad at dez bryant get mad at the nfl for making their players feel that they can't speak up because risk of job security
— smilingspecialist ? (@notyaption08) August 16, 2017
Dez Bryant knows where his bread is buttered, Jerry Jones wouldn't be happy https://t.co/kd15nPGwjc
— Erica Kaiser (@EricaKaiserUSA) August 18, 2017
Dez Bryant is the exact type of nigga NFL owners want other black NFL players to be: silent and afraid
— Kayla Imani ? (@KaylaLittle_16) August 16, 2017
I cant stand dez bryant, but he doesn't have to answer to anybody. He joined the NFL, not a damn civil rights activist group.
— Joseph Matthew (@mathyousalse_) August 16, 2017
The fact that Dez Bryant feels exercising his 1st Amend. right to speak on recent events threatens his ability to support his family is sad. https://t.co/s3S5wRA16x
— Summer G (@summer_galvez) August 16, 2017
No suh…"I got a family to feed" ??♂️ pic.twitter.com/vvXg8almMB
— J. (@KungFuMilly) August 16, 2017
Jerry Jones seeing his bed buck @DezBryant falling in line. pic.twitter.com/MX9x05fOEl
— Austere (@Vicc_Odin) August 16, 2017
Before you lash out at Bryant, keep your eye on the other Black and ethic minority athletes who are noticeably quiet about the current racial climate. Silence is compliance.