Dennis Dillon, Sporting News
Dez Bryant is considered to be the top wide receiver on many teams’ draft boards, but his ’09 season was marred when Oklahoma State suspended him on Oct. 7 after he admittedly lied to NCAA officials about the details of a meeting he had with former NFL cornerback Deion Sanders. The NCAA later said the suspension would last a calendar year, and Bryant declared for the draft. He spoke with Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon and other reporters Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Dez Bryant didn’t see much of the field in 2009, but he’s still projected as one of the best receiver prospects.
Q: What do you tell NFL teams about what you did?
Dez Bryant: I just tell them I misled the NCAA about going out to Deion Sanders’ house. I apologized for it and I’m back on track and ready to go.
Q: Will that affect how high you are drafted?
DB: No sir. I don’t think so at all. But it’s not my call.
Q: What’s your biggest regret?
DB: My biggest regret was not telling the truth.
Q: Do you worry that people will think you’re a bad person?
DB: It was a bad mistake. But I’m a great person. I enjoy the opportunity to make people smile. I’m good at making people smile. People that know me, they know it was a mistake. They know I’m a fun type of person and I love to have fun.
Q: Was the NCAA punishment too harsh?
DB: I felt it was kind of harsh, but at the same time, I took it as a man. There’s nothing I can do about it. Just keep going.
Q: Are you looking forward to getting back on the field?
DB: That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m ready to put back on those pads. Do what I do best.
Q: What NFL receiver do you compare yourself to?
DB: I would compare myself to Larry Fitzgerald. As far as going up for the football, attacking the ball.
Q: Will you work out here?
DB: No sir. I’ll go at my pro days. March 10. In Stillwater.
Q: Why aren’t you working out here?
DB: Last week, I tweaked my hamstring a little bit.
Q: What do you want teams to know about you this week?
DB: Dez Bryant’s a great person to be around. He loves the game of football. He can’t wait to get back on the field and do whatever to help the team.
Dennis Dillon, Sporting News
Dez Bryant is considered to be the top wide receiver on many teams’ draft boards, but his ’09 season was marred when Oklahoma State suspended him on Oct. 7 after he admittedly lied to NCAA officials about the details of a meeting he had with former NFL cornerback Deion Sanders. The NCAA later said the suspension would last a calendar year, and Bryant declared for the draft. He spoke with Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon and other reporters Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Dez Bryant didn’t see much of the field in 2009, but he’s still projected as one of the best receiver prospects.
Q: What do you tell NFL teams about what you did?
Dez Bryant: I just tell them I misled the NCAA about going out to Deion Sanders’ house. I apologized for it and I’m back on track and ready to go.
Q: Will that affect how high you are drafted?
DB: No sir. I don’t think so at all. But it’s not my call.
Q: What’s your biggest regret?
DB: My biggest regret was not telling the truth.
Q: Do you worry that people will think you’re a bad person?
DB: It was a bad mistake. But I’m a great person. I enjoy the opportunity to make people smile. I’m good at making people smile. People that know me, they know it was a mistake. They know I’m a fun type of person and I love to have fun.
Q: Was the NCAA punishment too harsh?
DB: I felt it was kind of harsh, but at the same time, I took it as a man. There’s nothing I can do about it. Just keep going.
Q: Are you looking forward to getting back on the field?
DB: That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m ready to put back on those pads. Do what I do best.
Q: What NFL receiver do you compare yourself to?
DB: I would compare myself to Larry Fitzgerald. As far as going up for the football, attacking the ball.
Q: Will you work out here?
DB: No sir. I’ll go at my pro days. March 10. In Stillwater.
Q: Why aren’t you working out here?
DB: Last week, I tweaked my hamstring a little bit.
Q: What do you want teams to know about you this week?
DB: Dez Bryant’s a great person to be around. He loves the game of football. He can’t wait to get back on the field and do whatever to help the team.
