logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
1h 29m

Dez Bryant on never getting a fair chanc...

It's Never Too Late To Pivot
About this episode

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:

MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com 

YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast

INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot

TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot

TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot

FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast


FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad

FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find


Dez will go down as one of the top Dallas Cowboys receivers to wear the star, but the stories and attention that followed #88 for a decade is what the former WR is sharing about dealing with pressure, expressing the disadvantages to succeeding in big D while in the NFL and lack of family support growing up motivating him to make a change in his own adult life. In an emotional conversation, Dez reveals never-heard-before stories and the inner workings of his life and career.


Opening up about the dysfunctional relationship between him and former head coach Jason Garrett, the lack of locker room bond between teammates, the feeling of being set up to fail and his complicated bond with the Jones family, Dez talks about how playing for Dallas was a blessing and a curse in one.


Bryant says that he was never given a fair opportunity to learn or mature when he reached the NFL, and the media’s portrayals of him stemmed from preconceived ideas of who he was. 


In order to “X out the negativity,” Bryant became a three-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 2014. While he may be remembered most for his infamous no-catch against the Green Bay Packers in 2015, he shines a light on the troubles of that season and the pivot he made to survive.


Talking about his childhood through his recent attempts to help the future of the game. Whether it was family, teammates, coaches, reporters or friends, Dez is candid about the relationships he cultivated over the years, remaining open and honest when it comes to misunderstood narratives. 


Being raised in a different scenario of having a mother who was barely a teenager at his birth created a bumpy road for Dez early on, and with a complex bond to his father, Dez was often independent and trying to make it on his own. Football went from a simple game to his ticket to a new life, and with a mom or dad rarely in attendance, Dez had to self teach hard lessons while trying to find his way.


With a life full of adversity, Dez remains himself to this day, and being away from the game as a player has allowed for him to focus on helping others and supporting his family in ways he couldn’t be supported as a kid. 


New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Amazon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
Jaxon Smith-Njigba & Demarcus Lawrence aim to lift Seahawks back to playoffs, talking Sam Darnold’s leadership, Cooper Kupp’s impact, elite defense, Micah Parsons’ contract, and compare Ohio State vs LSU wide receiver talent in depth.
Our Pivot training camp tour continues as the 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching and we make a stop to catch the Seahawks practicing with Green Bay as Seattle is looking to get back to the postseason being one of the top NFC teams. Ryan, Channing and Fred are sitting for a Su ... Show More
45m 47s
Aug 22
Cam Bynum Colts new Safety on his viral field celebrations, contagious energy, Indy's question around quarterback, tough AFC South, humble beginnings, Filipino roots and how he used his NFL platform to help raise awareness around his wife's citizenship
"For me, people say oh he's a celebrity, he's a football player, but millions of people got to see that I was going through the same struggles they were." Cam Bynum As our NFL Training Camp tour continues, we stop in Indy to sit with one of their newest additions who is making no ... Show More
50m 48s
Aug 19
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs: Detroit Lions two-headed monster set the tone ahead of 2025 NFL season, why Jared Goff is right QB, Dam Campbell's culture, new offense, owing the city a championship and how adversity fuels them.
“Sick and tired of being sick and tired…we want the big thing.” David Montgomery Detroit Lions Running Back Our Pivot training camp tour continues as the 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching and we make a stop in the Motor City to catch the Lions practicing with Miami Dolphins ... Show More
46m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2020
Darren Waller: The Beautiful Struggle
The Raiders tight end talks about being named to his first Pro Bowl (07:12), why it was “necessary” to endure personal hardships to reach the success he’s enjoying now (07:37) and how the death of former teammate Lorenzo Taliaferro has given him a new perspective on life and his ... Show More
37m 7s
Apr 2021
Special Preview - Up On Game with LaVar Arrington, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Plaxico Burress -Fixing The Dallas Cowboys
LaVar Arrington, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Plaxico Burress try to fix the Dallas Cowboys by giving Jerry Jones some advice on what to do in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft. The Lakers and Nets might be on a collision course to meet in the NBA Finals but which team needs t ... Show More
44m 3s
Feb 2021
Russell Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys? + Actor/Comedian Gary Owen
On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by sharing his thoughts on the report in The Athletic detailing the growing rift between Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks. On one hand, the Seahawks have been a winning franchise the entirety of Wilson's career so it's odd that he ... Show More
33m 16s
May 2020
PMS 2.0 200 - Show Is Absolutely Packed. Shams Charania, Darren Woodson, David Akers, Neal Brown, & Legend, AJ Hawk Stop By. Let's Go.
Today’s show is highlighted by a couple of incredible interviews. First, NBA Insider for the Athletic, the man who knows things you don’t, friend of the show Shams Charania joins the program to discuss when the NBA may potentially be coming back, if he knows which host city they’ ... Show More
2h 9m
Apr 2024
Colin Cowherd Podcast - Bears Win The Offseason, Cousins/Penix Situation Could Get Awkward, No New Weapons For Dak, Kevin Durant Is Irrelevant
Colin is joined by John MIddlekauff, host of “3 and Out” to break down the NFL Draft! They start with the Cowboys seeming to deliberately not load up on weapons in Dak Prescott’s contract year (3:30) and why the Bears won the offseason (7:30) They rate the Bears chances in a stac ... Show More
1h 10m
Oct 2020
Dumpster Fire Dallas Cowboys, Josh Allen for MVP?, Tom Brady Turns Back the Clock & 'The Jimmy Butler Game'
On today’s episode, Jason discusses the trouble brewing under the surface within the Dallas Cowboys. The 1-3 record is bad enough, but now Jerry Jones and Dak Prescott are taking subtle shots at other members of the team. It could already be the beginning of the end for Dak in Bi ... Show More
35m 51s
Oct 2022
Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts - Joe Burrow on Tua TNF Scare, Kid Cudi + Week 5 Best Bets
This is Prime Cuts! The best of The Colin Cowherd Podcast. First, Colin explains the most surprising thing about Tom Brady and Gisele’s reported divorce, and the only NFL job that would be worth Sean Payton un-retiring to take. Then, Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow on how he spent ... Show More
51m 58s
Nov 2019
PMS 2.0 126 - Friday Night SmackDown, College Gameday, & Joe Buck Story Time
On today’s show, Pat recaps his insane weekend starting with commentating SmackDown Live! on FOX on Friday night which included being lucky enough to have Jim Irsay lend him his private jet so that he could get to Buffalo in time for the show, and ending with Pat heading to Memph ... Show More
1h 30m