Former NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant apologized to ESPN’s Malika Andrews after calling her a “puppet” earlier this week.
Bryant went after Andrews for not speaking out against Oklahoma City Thunder player Josh Giddey, who has recently come under fire after he was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
The former first-round pick posted on social media apologizing to Andrews, but he also pointed out that athletes are more than the games they play.
I ain’t talking about the situation no more unless @stephenasmith @malika_andrews wanna talk on air
But
I do wanna apologize for coming so aggressive at @malika_andrews
But I do wonder if she even realizes
How certain things look?Sports & media is a big deal to the…
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) November 30, 2023
Bryant also discussed the unfairness of treatment of athletes because of their race.
“I’ve experienced unfairness and saw white athletes get a slap on the wrist for doing shit I know that will get you kicked off a team in a heart beat,” he wrote.
“I really hate to make it seem like a black and white thing but the unfairness is real.”
While Bryant had originally claimed that Andrews had not spoken out against Giddey, the ESPN personality actually had.
She did but look at the lack of energy/passion. Yeah it hurt her having to do it pic.twitter.com/LUhCxPAUaX
— Bearded X (@Gunnerboyyyy) November 28, 2023
Since the allegations against Giddey are not concrete and pending investigation, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith explained the dangers of commenting on them at this juncture for people like himself and Andrews.
“You know why Stephen A. hasn’t said anything? Because you could get sued, idiots,” Smith said. “You don’t just go out there running your damn mouth over something this serious.”
Giddey reportedly is the subject of police inquiry, and the NBA is also investigating the allegations that were made against him on social media.
The allegations against Giddey are extremely troubling, and the former lottery pick declined to comment on them when asked. Until the investigations are completed, it’s hard to say what will happen to Giddey and his basketball career.
Josh Giddey speaks on the allegations surrounding him:
“I understand the question obviously, but there’s no further comment right now.”
(🎥 @CAlmanza1007) https://t.co/ss3fTdsA4N
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) November 24, 2023
This season, Giddey has appeared in 17 games for the Thunder and is averaging 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the field.
Bryant certainly came after Andrews rather hard, and he seems to have realized that he may have been a little too harsh.
For now, those in sports media and around the NBA don’t have much they can comment on surrounding Giddey until all of the facts are known.
Bryant, who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, last played for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 season. For his career, Bryant made 537 receptions for 7,506 yards and 75 touchdowns.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Bryant led the NFL in touchdown receptions in the 2014 season.
