Former Dallas Cowboys and current Baltimore Ravens star Dez Bryant knows what it is like to be in the spotlight. This time, as his son Dez Bryant Jr. starts to show promise as a high school football player, the older Bryant is being more careful. This choice has earned both clap and slam from fans online.
Dez Jr., who plays as a wide receiver at Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas, is part of the 2028 recruiting class and has caught the eye of big schools like Texas A&M. Even with his early wins and rising fame, Dez Sr. made news for trying to “stop the hype train” about his son. Why? To keep him away from the harsh light and stress that have hit players like Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL great Deion Sanders.
Support and criticism from fans
Dez’s words, which surfaced on social media, came off to some as a warning about the bad side of fame excess. One fan put it as, “Trying to protect him from ending up like Shedeur.” This links back to Shedeur Sanders, who now, as a new pro for the Cleveland Browns, has had to deal with tough media talk, sour words, and even fake narratives about how he lives and his spending habits.
Some say Shedeur’s drop to the third round in the 2025 NFL Draft, despite being seen as a top pick at first, was due to too much buzz and side stories during his time at Colorado. Dez seems to be using that story as a lesson, wanting to keep his son free from such sideshow.
The take on Dez’s words was split sharp. Fans who liked his move said things like, “He wants his son to keep working, not get complacent based off who he comes from. Respect it.” But not everyone was nice. Some said Dez was hiding his son’s skills or even messing up his future.”Just stop talking Dez before you talk your boy out the league,” one said. Another made fun of the situation by noting, “Bruh said ‘aye wait a minute y’all… my son is NOT that good.'”
This mix of views shows the thin line between setting the right hopes and grabbing chances, more so when the young player is the kid of a sports star.
The upcoming future for the Bryant family
Dez Bryant Jr. is just starting out in football, but he is already getting a lot of watch. Rivals says he is a top prospect and the No. 9 wide receiver in his group. His offer from Texas A&M follows his dad’s path, who got a similar chance before going to Oklahoma State.
Dez Sr., a standout himself at Lufkin High School back in the day, knows well how fast fame can turn into pressure. His move to ease off for his son stems from his own past and a wish to let Dez Jr. find his own space, not just be known by his last name.
Auto-generated pressure
This point dips into a wider chat in sports: how do young stars deal with fame when they’re born into it? The look at Shedeur Sanders marks the perils of early fame, where each action, tweet, or whisper can twist how people see you and even affect your draft spot.
Dez’s choice to keep control of his son’s growing fame might not be good for all, but it tells us that not all buzz helps, and at times, the best support for a young player is to let their play speak.
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