Dez Bryant says police officer drew gun on him in front of daughters

Former NFL star Dez Bryant stated that a police officer aimed a gun at him in front of his daughters during an incident that concluded with him receiving an assault citation. The confrontation occurred Sunday in Southlake, Texas, after Bryant alleges he encountered drivers exhibiting reckless behavior.

Footage provided by Bryant to OutKick shows an officer with a drawn firearm in Bryant's direction. The video also depicts Bryant lying on the ground in handcuffs, alongside two other individuals.

Bryant acknowledged knocking a phone out of one man's hand during an argument but questioned the police's handling of the encounter and his citation, particularly after reporting he had been threatened.

"I was really more so concerned about my children, you know, looking at their dad, you know, being on the ground with a gun pointed at me," Bryant said.

The citation, reviewed by OutKick, lists "Assault by Contact" and indicates the incident took place at 2251 E. Southlake Blvd., an address associated with Chiloso Mexican Bistro. It noted "Arrest: No" and required Bryant to appear in Southlake Municipal Court by November 20.

Bryant explained that the incident began when he observed two vehicles whose occupants appeared to be interacting erratically at a traffic light. He accused the drivers of cutting him off and driving recklessly as they proceeded to the restaurant, where he was also headed.

Bryant stated he told them to stop, admitting to using profanity. He reported that an argument ensued with one of the men, whom Bryant described as a young adult.

"He go to threatening me and basically saying, um, he’ll insinuate that he’ll, you know, he’ll shoot me or whatever," Bryant recalled.

He stated that he issued his own warning: "You pull that gun, I’m telling you right now, you better use it because if you don’t I’m going to do something to you."

When asked if the man produced a weapon, Bryant replied, "No, he didn’t pull a gun out on me." Instead, Bryant said the man took out his phone to record him. Bryant then told him to stop, which led to him knocking the phone from the man's hand.

According to Bryant, the man then threatened to call the police. Bryant stated he encouraged the call, believing officers would investigate the alleged threat.

Bryant reported that a responding officer drew a gun and ordered them to the ground. He said his girlfriend arrived with their two daughters and began filming the event.

Bryant stated that he was then placed on the ground, and his girlfriend and daughters witnessed the scene. He recounted that officers handcuffed the men, questioned them separately, and placed him in a police vehicle before releasing him with the citation. He claimed the other men were permitted to leave.

Bryant alleged that the police relied on the other man's recording without a thorough investigation into the preceding events. He said he requested officers review surveillance footage, including any video of the driving that led to the confrontation.

"I would rather you guys take us all down to the police station and do the proper investigation instead of just taking somebody else, you know, side," Bryant said. "I felt like it was very one-sided."

He also stated that an officer told him he needed to "be the bigger person."

In Texas, assault involving offensive or provocative physical contact is typically a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500. The citation did not specify a statutory subsection.

Bryant characterized his actions as self-defense, a determination that Texas law bases on circumstances, including whether the use of force was reasonably believed to be immediately necessary to protect against another person's unlawful force or attempted use of it.

Bryant noted his positive relationships with individual Southlake officers, including one associated with his son’s football team, describing their interactions as typically amiable.

"Every time I see him, we talk ball. We just talk about the regular things," Bryant said of that officer. "It’s always been good. This situation was just extremely unfortunate."

Bryant, who played eight seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, earning three Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors in 2014, emphasized that his reputation within the community, especially among children who admire him, motivated him to speak out.

"My reputation mean everything to me," Bryant stated.

He called for fairness and a comprehensive investigation from law enforcement moving forward.

"Treat everybody fair. Treat everybody fair. Treat everybody with respect," he said. "Do your due diligence on what’s actually going on."

OutKick has reached out to the City of Southlake for comment on behalf of the police department.