The big storyline for the Dallas Cowboys this weekend has less concerned on the 31-14 thumping by the previously 0-2 Chicago Bears, thankfully for Jerry Jones and co., and more focused on the imminent return to Texas for three-time All-Pro and now Green Bay Packer, Micah Parsons.
Since being moved to the midwest a month ago, Parsons has been a reasonable, if not next-level threat for the Packers, although he has managed 1.5 sacks in his first three games.
One of the more major talking points in the early week has been the decision made by owner and general manager, Jerry Jones, to not give Parsons the same type of recognition for his effort and services that was received when legendary running back, Emmett Smith got after leaving for the Cardinals.
Micah Parsons Will Not Receive A Tribute In Dallas On Sunday Night
“I don’t think that’s appropriate this way, Emmitt (Smith coming back) was a different story.” Jones said on Monday, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “But that’s not to diminish Micah. I think Micah’s got enough welcome out there. We just need to show we’ve got antidotes for that.”
Jones’ reasoning feels sound; Smith played 13 seasons in Dallas that included 11 consecutive 1,000 + yard campaigns, 3 Super Bowl rings, 4 1st team All-Pros and 1 NFL MVP. Parsons became one of the better edge rushers in team history, but his legacy does not come near to amounting to that.
And despite some believing he would take offense to that, Parsons believed that the team was not disrespecting him by not giving him that same honor.
“There’s a lot of things I can consider disrespectful throughout this process, but I wouldn’t say the tribute is one of them.”
Parsons Takes A Jab At Jerry Jones After Tribute Decision
Yet, despite him not taking the lack of tribute poorly, Parsons did then take a specific dig at Jones and the organization.
“There’s a lot of things I can consider disrespectful throughout this process,” Parsons said, via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, “but I wouldn’t say the tribute is one of them.”
“I just think there’s hard feelings maybe there for them. For me, I’m happy where I’m at. And we got a really good football team. So I guess I can get my tribute in a win.”
Noting that the team did many things that he could “consider disrespectful” certainly constitutes a shot at the Cowboys owner. As does the slightly provocative implication that the team are salty over his departure, in claiming that they still have “hard feelings” over his trade to Green Bay.
Parsons’ lack of issue with not being recognized in Dallas is likely sincere; he knows that despite his four successful years with the team, he managed only one postseason win with the organization – back in 2022 – with the Cowboys never managing to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs.
But there is clearly no love lost between the ex Cowboys star and his former employer, and if given the opportunity, Parsons will love nothing more than to run amok in his old team’s backyard in front of Jones and co..
Micah Parsons Claps Back At Cowboys After Tribute Snub