Dez Bryant blasts Ditka over latest anti-protest comments

Dez Bryant was among those who called out Mike Ditka over his recent inflammatory comments. © Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Dez Bryant blasts Mike Ditka over latest anti-protest comments

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/16/20

NFL players are refusing to put up with Mike Ditka's latest comments about kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice in America. One former player even is taking the opportunity to blast the former Chicago Bears head coach for not understanding the message athletes are trying to convey.

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant says that someone needs to have a conversation with Ditka to educate him on systemic racism and the social justice issues that are ongoing in the United States.

"Somebody need to go have a sit down with Mike Ditka," Bryant said, according to TMZ Sports. "No arguing, but explain to him what’s going on...feeling entitled at its finest."

Ditka has been very outspoken about NFL players' protests, first telling TMZ in July that anyone who does anything but stand for the national anthem should "get the hell out of the country." He then doubled down on those comments in an interview with Newsmax TV this week, saying he still wants to kick players out of the league who "disrespect" the country.

NFL : Hall-of-Fame coach Mike Ditka tells protesting players that if 'they can't respect this country, get the hell out of it.' [with Newsmax TV's @ShaunKraisman https://t.co/VlT7z8drtO] pic.twitter.com/E3jPCBrMdt
— Newsmax (@newsmax) September 14, 2020

Players who have been protesting during the national anthem have said since the movement began that protests having nothing to do with the flag or military, but rather the systemic racism in America.

Plenty of NFL players continued their protests during Week 1 of the 2020 season. We even saw the first-ever Dallas Cowboys player, Dontari Poe, take a knee for the anthem. Others around the league raised their fists some even locked arms in unity during the song.

Many players were upset and angry following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, among others. Those emotions only boiled over after Jacob Blake was shot seven times in Kenosha, Wisc., and thus sparked even greater protests.

With the season still a long way from being over, players are going to continue protesting after receiving support from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the offseason.

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