On Sunday, Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant had 116 yards and a touchdown. An impressive performance like that in a win over the Steelers should have been business as usual for the Cowboys star. This one was different.
Dez Bryant gets game ball in tribute to father who passed away Saturday
According to the Dallas Morning-News, Bryant’s father, MacArthur Hatton passed away the day before from an illness. The team addressed Dez’s decision to play despite the heavy heart through owner Jerry Jones:
“He’s loved in the locker room and by the coaches as well. And so there was a lot of sensitivity and love being expressed to him.”
After the game, quarterback Dak Prescott offered a few words on the passing of Bryant’s father.
Bryant himself did not talk to reporters about it, but after scoring against the Steelers he did honor his late father by pointing up to the sky. It looks like Dez’s father did indeed have the best seat in the house.
Coach Jason Garrett also gave Dez the game ball, and the team joined in on the somber celebration by giving Dez a few hugs.
He did dedicate an Instagram post to his father:
Sports are sometimes a great escape from all the troubles in the world. We all cope in different ways. Bryant’s performance on the field, and the embrace from his teammates, may have been the slight moment of solace that he could’ve needed during this heartbreaking time.
