Micah Parsons on DeMarcus Lawrence's criticism: Questioning my commitment is ridiculous, outrageous
It's safe to say Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons isn't upset about DeMarcus Lawrence's departure for Seattle. Parsons now is the unquestioned leader of the Cowboys defense, a role Lawrence, as the elder statesman, held since Parsons arrived as a first-round pick in 2021.
Parsons also no longer has to feign a camaraderie with Lawrence.
'I thought it was my time last year, trying to bring that team back in life, even though most people thought we were dead in the water,' Parsons said last week, via Clarence Hill of All City DLLS. 'I think it's my time now. I don't got to bump heads with no other dude. I wish them guys the best. But it's kind of hard when you butt heads with another person. They think different; they feel different; and they want to be in the room different. Now it's my time to really take over.'
The truth of Parsons and Lawrence's relationship was revealed during a public spat after Lawrence said he was never going to win a Super Bowl in Dallas. Parsons went after Lawrence on social media and Lawrence responded, saying among other things, 'Maybe if you spent less time tweeting and more time winning, I wouldn't have left.'
Over the summer, Cowboys defensive back Malik Hooker questioned how much time Parsons spends on his podcast.
Parsons again has found it necessary to defended himself against questions about whether his off-field pursuits are a distraction to the team.
'I think it's ridiculous,' Parsons said. 'You watch the tape. There's no question I'm locked in. I'm giving my actual best effort out there on the field, which I think that's all that matters. I have an obligation to be the leader of my family, to take care of my family, and that's to provide for them. I keep the main thing, the main thing. But I like off-field adventures, too.
'Everyone has their selection of how they want to deal with things. Some people drink. Some people smoke. I like to tweet. I like to be active and know about ball. I like to know what everyone else is doing. And that's just me. I don't drink. I don't smoke. What I care about is the effort you give me on the football field, and that's something you can't question. I know I'm one of the best players and as long as I'm performing that way, it shouldn't matter. When you jump offside on the goal line, is that because I'm tweeting? I think it's ridiculous, outrageous.'
Parsons is scheduled to play 2025 on the fifth-year option of $24.07 million but is expected to sign a long-term contract that will pay him more than $40 million annually. Parsons said that would make him the happiest man alive.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
38 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Storm's Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA players union president, speaks out on CBA negotiations
SEATTLE — As president of the WNBA's players union, Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike has been asked time and again about the league's collective bargaining agreement discussions. The WNBA is bringing in more money than ever from sponsors and ticket sales, and will bring in much more from its 11-year media rights deal , worth around $200 million per year starting in 2026 — yet player salaries haven't increased drastically in recent years. In light of other players around the WNBA speaking out, Ogwumike addressed the matter of player salaries following the Storm's 89-79 win over the New York Liberty on Sunday .
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Storm's Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA players union president, speaks out on CBA negotiations
Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) talks with guard Skylar Diggins (4) as they lead the New York Liberty during the final seconds of the second half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) talks with guard Skylar Diggins (4) as they lead the New York Liberty during the final seconds of the second half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) SEATTLE (AP) — As president of the WNBA's players union, Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike has been asked time and again about the league's collective bargaining agreement discussions. The WNBA is bringing in more money than ever from sponsors and ticket sales, and will bring in much more from its 11-year media rights deal, worth around $200 million per year starting in 2026 — yet player salaries haven't increased drastically in recent years. In light of other players around the WNBA speaking out, Ogwumike addressed the matter of player salaries following the Storm's 89-79 win over the New York Liberty on Sunday. Advertisement 'We have women out here who know the business. And we understand where our league has been and where it's going,' Ogwumike said. 'And, we're prepared. We're prepared. And we want to be able to come out here and represent ourselves and our value the same way we do on the court, in our contracts, in our facilities, in the standards of the resources that are available to us.' Ogwumike said the players union received a response from the league, which she considered a 'good' development. In October, WNBA players opted out of their collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA still covers the 2025 season. The next step from the union's standpoint is for contracts to be more representative of the league's growth. The current collective bargaining agreement was signed before the 2020 season. 'Everybody wants to go to the same place. Everyone just has a different idea of how we get there,' Ogwumike said. 'But it definitely starts with valuing the players in a way that makes sense for what we're doing out here, and also makes sense for the people that follow us and the fans that are supporting us. We've seen a lot of growth recently, so we have to see that being reflected in how we're compensated to continue to give you guys games like this every night.' Advertisement Ogwumike added that she is looking forward to whatever meeting between the WNBPA and the league is to come over the next 25 days. In the past, other players have said they are willing to sit out games if negotiations don't lead to a pay structure they feel is fair. Ogwumike is grateful for the support the players union has already received ahead of and amid these negotiations. 'I'm appreciative to our player body, our player reps and the women that are speaking out about this,' Ogwumike said, 'and our board of advisors and PA staff and what they're doing for us to be able to get to a successful, collaborative negotiation with the league.' ___ AP WNBA:
Associated Press
44 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Storm's Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA players union president, speaks out on CBA negotiations
SEATTLE (AP) — As president of the WNBA's players union, Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike has been asked time and again about the league's collective bargaining agreement discussions. The WNBA is bringing in more money than ever from sponsors and ticket sales, and will bring in much more from its 11-year media rights deal, worth around $200 million per year starting in 2026 — yet player salaries haven't increased drastically in recent years. In light of other players around the WNBA speaking out, Ogwumike addressed the matter of player salaries following the Storm's 89-79 win over the New York Liberty on Sunday. 'We have women out here who know the business. And we understand where our league has been and where it's going,' Ogwumike said. 'And, we're prepared. We're prepared. And we want to be able to come out here and represent ourselves and our value the same way we do on the court, in our contracts, in our facilities, in the standards of the resources that are available to us.' Ogwumike said the players union received a response from the league, which she considered a 'good' development. In October, WNBA players opted out of their collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA still covers the 2025 season. The next step from the union's standpoint is for contracts to be more representative of the league's growth. The current collective bargaining agreement was signed before the 2020 season. 'Everybody wants to go to the same place. Everyone just has a different idea of how we get there,' Ogwumike said. 'But it definitely starts with valuing the players in a way that makes sense for what we're doing out here, and also makes sense for the people that follow us and the fans that are supporting us. We've seen a lot of growth recently, so we have to see that being reflected in how we're compensated to continue to give you guys games like this every night.' Ogwumike added that she is looking forward to whatever meeting between the WNBPA and the league is to come over the next 25 days. In the past, other players have said they are willing to sit out games if negotiations don't lead to a pay structure they feel is fair. Ogwumike is grateful for the support the players union has already received ahead of and amid these negotiations. 'I'm appreciative to our player body, our player reps and the women that are speaking out about this,' Ogwumike said, 'and our board of advisors and PA staff and what they're doing for us to be able to get to a successful, collaborative negotiation with the league.' ___ AP WNBA:
