News: Bell: Cowboys WR Dez Bryant earned contract, now deserves apology for offseason smear campaign

[WoodysGirl]

Remember the supposed damning videotape that was apparently set to be released a few months ago, exposing Bryant as a culprit in some off-the-field drama?

What a smear campaign.

No such video ever surfaced. But playing off fears from the Ray Rice fiasco, Bryant's name was nonetheless dragged through the mud just as the offseason signing window was set to open in March. It was a shameful case of hearsay being repeated by typically credible sources — with the NFL's own website and ProFootballTalk.com among them — even though that resulted in absolutely zilch.

Those who sloppily "reported" such a thing — spreading gossip to sully the name of a man who, despite issues earlier in his career, is maturing — owe Bryant a big apology.

Even better, they should call out the sources of the apparent misinformation. Until proven otherwise, this episode smells like something planted by someone with a serious ax to grind.

Read the rest: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ones-apology-contract-video-walmart/30266257/

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I agree with Bell here but there will be no apology, no retraction. That's not how the media works nowadays.

 

[Frozen700]

A bunch of dudes on here were talking about getting rid of him and "Cutting our ties"before it's too late. Now everyone forgot, and pretending they never wanted him gone, now that he signed.

So they don't need to blame those reports. It actually let those who hid their true feelings, expose it.

 

[xvendettax914]

Really is gross the non story that smear campaign was. I haven't seen such blatant misinformation sworn as fact before by such "reliable" and "trusted" sources. Shows a lot about the validity of some of these so called insiders and whatnot.

 

[TimHortons]

There should be an apology, but I disagree with the part where the article says the writers should out their sources. That's taking things way, way too far.

 

[slick325]

The business of sports...sadly, the billionaire owners with their Commish that made $40mil in 2014 will never be vilified by the fans of the sport. Only the players are seen as villians despite the average person having more in common with the players than any owner or the Commish.

 

[ConstantReboot]

A bunch of dudes on here were talking about getting rid of him and "Cutting our ties"before it's too late. Now everyone forgot, and pretending they never wanted him gone, now that he signed.

So they don't need to blame those reports. It actually let those who hid their true feelings, expose it.

I totally remember that. Some people here were already believing the video existed and wanted him cut before it was too late. What I shame.

 

[Plumfool]

People on this forum still point to what happened on the sidelines as Dez being whiny. Even after the truth came out. So I doubt there'll ever be an apology for that mess.

 

[Frozen700]

I totally remember that. Some people here were already believing the video existed and wanted him cut before it was too late. What I shame.

For real. To bad we can't call posters out by name.

They get away with bandwagon type behavior.

 

[AtlCB]

The business of sports...sadly, the billionaire owners with their Commish that made $40mil in 2014 will never be vilified by the fans of the sport. Only the players are seen as villians despite the average person having more in common with the players than any owner or the Commish.

Most ridiculous post ever. Owners and the Commish are vilified constantly by the fans. I've seen Goodell and Jones trashed on this site more than any one player.

 

[AmericasTeam81]

Really is gross the non story that smear campaign was. I haven't seen such blatant misinformation sworn as fact before by such "reliable" and "trusted" sources. Shows a lot about the validity of some of these so called insiders and whatnot.

Hmmm I believe that if you really tried hard enough, you would find these examples...

 

[Nation]

People on this forum still point to what happened on the sidelines as Dez being whiny. Even after the truth came out. So I doubt there'll ever be an apology for that mess.

The Detroit game in 2013 was not whiny, but the Packers game in 2013 was very whiny

 

[Sportsbabe]

I agree with Bell here but there will be no apology, no retraction. That's not how the media works nowadays.

Oh, it's only just begun.
Now comes the tracking of the $70M.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

David Wells was the biggest smearer. His crew was the 'other' present at the WalMart incident. Wells himself revealed and confirmed Dez's rehab as well as giving leak after leak following him taking his business to RocNation.

 

[Sarge]

The business of sports...sadly, the billionaire owners with their Commish that made $40mil in 2014 will never be vilified by the fans of the sport. Only the players are seen as villians despite the average person having more in common with the players than any owner or the Commish.

I dunno, the commish getting booed every day at every draft is pretty telling.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

The business of sports...sadly, the billionaire owners with their Commish that made $40mil in 2014 will never be vilified by the fans of the sport. Only the players are seen as villians despite the average person having more in common with the players than any owner or the Commish.

During the negotiations with Dez....I have never seen so many people "upset" with a BILLIONAIRE having to pay one of his best employees millions! Investing in your business is how it grows....and last time I checked....Jerry is probably worth more than this entire 53 man roster combined! I "think" he will be ok!

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

For real. To bad we can't call posters out by name.

They get away with bandwagon type behavior.

man, just start a "pretty lady" thread... so we can get names...
all this random sig pictures are frustrating..

 

[Frozen700]

During the negotiations with Dez....I have never seen so many people "upset" with a BILLIONAIRE having to pay one of his best employees millions! Investing in your business is how it grows....and last time I checked....Jerry is probably worth more than this entire 53 man roster combined! I "think" he will be ok!

Well to be fair, they are looking at it from a standpoint of cap space.

Still, unless you are willing to get rid of Romo and start over. You sign Dez.

 

[Frozen700]

man, just start a "pretty lady" thread... so we can get names...
all this random sig pictures are frustrating..

 

[DallasEast]

Once upon a time and not so freaking long ago, before Al Gore "fathered" the Internet and cellphones were just a concept, claiming reliable sources was reserved to truly important, widely impactful events and circumstances such as government and corporate malfeasance. Reservations have lowered so drastically in a very short period of time that unnamed sources are attached to practically any conceivable story imaginable--and relevance be damned.

In my opinion, the public should be wary of the information reported to them lacking corroboration. Unfortunately, the goal to educate and inform is sometimes influenced by the desires of profitability and fame.

I think there will not be any apologies. Likewise, there will not be any authentication offered. Peer pressure and personal integrity used to motivate the media to self-regulate themselves. The problem is the media has evolved to a stage where it cannot control itself. So take the published criticism and feel grateful someone, anyone felt obligated to question this Bryant nonsense. It is likely the best example of true journalism you will get.