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Dez Bryant Plays Against Steelers Just One Day After His Dad Died

By Lindsay McCane
Published on: 02:02 PST, Nov 14, 2016

Dez Bryant played Sunday night against the Steelers just one day after learning his dad had died.

Bryant was told about his father’s passing when he arrived in Pittsburgh. His father, MacArthur Hatton, reportedly died on Saturday from an undisclosed illness. Although it is unknown what kind of relationship Dez and MacArthur had at the time of his death, it was previously reported that they were estranged.

“Of course, [Bryant’s] very sad. And you only have one of those,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “But he was getting the kind of support you would think. He’s loved in that locker room. And, so, there was a lot of sensitivity and love being expressed to him. I’ll say this. If he wanted to be at some place in his life, I bet it would be right in the middle of that locker room to be dealing with that.”

Despite his heavy heart, Dez had one of his best games in weeks. Not only did he score a touchdown, but he also completed six passes for 116 yards, according to Sports Day Dallas News. While at the back of the end zone, Dez pointed to the sky and then blew a kiss as tears started flowing down his face. Thankfully, he had his teammates there to console him.

“He was out there balling for his dad,” Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley said.

“Your father, he is watching you,” Rooking quarterback Dak Prescott told Bryant before Sunday’s game. “He’s got the best seat in the house. I told him to go out there and honor him today. And Dez did exactly that.”

Following the game, in which the Cowboys beat the Steelers 35-30, the team honored Dez by giving him the game ball, a gesture that brought tears to his eyes once again.

“It was emotional,” Beasley said. “There were a lot of guys with tears in here. We definitely feel for him. And all the stuff he’s been through in his life, he’s still persevering every day. It just shows who he is. He’s been fighting through stuff all his life. No matter what happens to him, he’s going to keep grinding.”

“To see that growth as an individual and who he is, he’s a rock for that and for his family and for his Dad,” team captain Jason Witten said of his friend on Sunday night. “I know his Dad is proud of him, and to see Dez overcome any obstacles he’s had in his life and to be the man he is today, as a big brother, I’m proud of him tonight.”

On Sunday night, Bryant took to Instagram to remember his father. He captioned a collage of photos of him and his dad by saying: “Daddy I know GOD got you.. I’m hurt but I refuse to ask why….you always wanted me to make sure things are good with the family especially my brothers…I honestly don’t know a man who walked this earth stronger than you…daddy I’m happy to take the torch…rip daddy.”

[Featured Image by Tom Pennington/ Getty Images]

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