Former Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant is speaking out after a frightening encounter with police in Texas that left him handcuffed on the ground while an officer pointed a gun in his direction. The incident happened in front of his two daughters, who witnessed the confrontation.
According to an exclusive report from OutKick published Monday, October 26, Bryant was involved in a dispute with two men in Southlake, Texas, over what he described as reckless driving. The situation escalated into an argument, and police were eventually called to the scene.
Video provided to OutKick by Bryant shows him lying on the ground in handcuffs as an officer points a firearm in his direction. Bryant’s daughters arrived with his girlfriend while the encounter was unfolding, making an already tense situation even more difficult for the former NFL star. Below are the details.
Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant - Via Outkick
Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant – Via Outkick
Fans React To Long Time Cowboys WR Dez Bryant Being Detained In Front Of Kids
Bryant said the dispute began after he believed two drivers had cut him off and were driving recklessly. He said he confronted them and told them to drive more carefully. According to Bryant, one of the men then threatened to shoot him.
However, Bryant acknowledged that the man never actually pulled out a gun. Instead, the man began recording the argument on his phone. Bryant admitted knocking the phone out of the man’s hand, a key detail in the confrontation that followed. Here is a video:
🚨OUTKICK EXCLUSIVE: A confrontation with alleged reckless drivers ends with Dez Bryant on the ground in handcuffs.
Police point a gun at the former Cowboys star as his daughters watch. Bryant was cited for assault following the incident. https://t.co/DOpnR4WMLP
— OutKick (@Outkick) October 26, 2026
The man then threatened to call police. Bryant said he welcomed their involvement because he believed officers would investigate what had happened.
When officers arrived, Bryant said they drew their weapons and ordered those involved to the ground. He was handcuffed and questioned before being released with a citation for assault by contact. The citation reviewed by OutKick reportedly indicates that Bryant was not formally arrested.
The incident was particularly upsetting for Bryant because his daughters witnessed him on the ground with a gun pointed in his direction.
“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 told OutKick.
Bryant also questioned how the situation was handled, arguing that officers should have investigated the events leading up to the confrontation rather than relying heavily on the other man’s phone recording.
“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.”
Aug 24, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) runs after a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images
Aug 24, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) runs after a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The former Cowboys receiver said he wants authorities to treat everyone involved fairly and conduct a thorough investigation. OutKick reported that it had contacted the City of Southlake for comment from the police department. Here is a video of his interview:
Dez Bryant says he was was cut off by reckless drivers yesterday, and then when he tried to tell them to drive safer, one of the drivers threatened to shoot him and then called the cops on him. Dez says when police arrived, they aimed guns at him and made him get on the ground, all while his daughters watched.
Bryant is now calling for fairness and a thorough investigation.
“Treat everybody fair. Treat everybody fair. Treat everybody with respect,” he said. “Do your due diligence on what’s actually going on.”
— Jackson Thompson (@JackThompsonFOX) October 26, 2026
The citation directs Bryant to appear in Southlake Municipal Court on or before November 20 at 5 p.m.
Bryant spent eight seasons with the Cowboys, becoming one of the most recognizable receivers in franchise history. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and finished his Dallas career with 531 receptions, 7,459 receiving yards and 73 touchdown catches.