Micah Parsons Sparks Controversy Amid Cowboys’ Preseason Victory Over Falcons
Micah Parsons, the standout pass rusher for the Dallas Cowboys, made headlines during the team’s preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons, even while sidelined. On Friday, the 26-year-old was seen enjoying nachos before the game kicked off, and later, he took a moment to rest on the training table while the Cowboys’ offense was on the field.
This seemingly innocuous behavior stirred up some controversy, leading Parsons to address his critics. "I actually appreciate this. The way media shapes perception and narratives is wild—and if I hadn’t said anything, everyone would’ve just run with it," he remarked in response to a reporter’s observation about his brief rest during the game.
Parsons, a three-time All-Pro, emphasized his respect for his teammates, stating, "I would never disrespect the guys out there fighting for their lives." Despite the media speculation, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer claimed he was unaware of Parsons’ in-game activities. Following the Cowboys’ 31-13 victory, Parsons opted not to speak to the media.
Teammate Trevon Diggs provided insight into Parsons’ well-being, mentioning, "It depends on how his back feels. I know he was real sore this morning. He went and got it checked out." This comment hinted that Parsons had recently undergone an MRI, raising concerns about his health as the team gears up for the regular season.
The backdrop of this situation is a contract standoff between Parsons and the Cowboys. Recently, Parsons made his trade request public, prompting Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to reaffirm his unwillingness to part ways with the star defender. In a conversation with former Cowboys player Michael Irvin, Jones revealed that he had attempted to negotiate a deal, only for Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, to advise against it. "We were going to send [an offer] over to the agent, and the agent said don’t bother because we’ve got all that to negotiate," Jones said.
In contrast, Mulugheta denied Jones’ claims, with former Pittsburgh Steelers star Ryan Clark describing the situation as "ugly" and calling Jones’ remarks "all lies."
As it stands, Parsons enters the 2025 regular season under the final year of his rookie contract. Despite missing four games last season, he still managed to record 12 sacks, showcasing his consistent performance with double-digit sacks in each of his four NFL seasons.
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