THE DRIVE 7-16-12 Adam Thompson's column
THE DRIVE 7-16-12 Close
THE DRIVE 7-16-12 Close
NFL – COWBOYS WR ASSAULTS MOM
Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant was arrested Monday after he allegedly assaulted his mother, Angela, on Saturday, according to DeSoto, Texas, police captain Ron Smith.
According to the incident report, Bryant became angry when his mother asked him to leave her home during an argument Saturday afternoon. Initially, at a Tuesday news conference, Smith said Bryant slapped his mother in the face, but the police report, which was released later Tuesday, clarified that Bryant allegedly grabbed her by her T-shirt and hair and "hit her across the face with his ball cap."
Angela Bryant, whose T-shirt and bra were allegedly torn during the incident, indicated on a 911 call that this was not the first time she was assaulted by her son.
"I can't keep letting him do this," said Angela Bryant, who made the call from the nearby home of family friend and adviser David Wells. "I can't keep letting him do me like this. I'm tired. I'm going to put an end to it today. I'm going to put an end to it today. I'm tired."
Officers who responded to the 911 call from Bryant's mother did not observe any injuries, and she did not complain of pain at the time, according to the report. On Monday, after officers contacted Bryant's mother at her home, the report states that she said she had pain in her wrists, hands and arms. Officers observed swelling around her wrists at that time, according to the report.
“
I can't keep letting him do this. I can't keep letting him do me like this. I'm tired. I'm going to put an end to it today. I'm going to put an end to it today. I'm tired.
” — Angela Bryant, in 911 call
After being transported to the DeSoto police department, Angela Bryant, 37, provided a written statement detailing the alleged assault. According to the report, she stated that Dez Bryant repeatedly struck her in the hands and wrists. Officers observed bruising on both arms. She also complained that her chest was sore from Bryant pushing her.
After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Bryant turned himself in Monday and was booked without incident.
Bryant was charged with a Class A misdemeanor for assaulting a female family member.
"It's pretty straightforward," Smith said. "Him and his mom got in an argument. She had some injuries. We made an arrest."
The Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to a year in jail. The arrest also subjects Bryant to possible penalty under the NFL's personal conduct policy.
The Cowboys said they were aware of the arrest but declined further comment. Bryant's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, also declined comment.
This is Bryant's first arrest, but it is not his first incident that required police involvement since the Cowboys traded up to select the former Oklahoma State star with the 24th overall pick in the 2010 draft.
In January, Bryant was detained by police but not arrested after an alleged altercation at a Miami Beach nightclub.
Last summer, off-duty police working as security at an upscale Dallas mall kicked Bryant and friends out of the mall because of inappropriate attire (sagging pants) and language. Bryant was temporarily banned from the mall.
Bryant, who was widely considered a top-10 talent but slipped in the draft due to teams' character concerns, also has been sued for unpaid debts for jewelry and sports tickets from before he was drafted.
Angela Bryant has a criminal record that includes multiple convictions on drug charges.
She served 18 months in prison after being convicted for selling crack cocaine in 1997. She was also sentenced to 10 years' probation due to an April 2009 arrest for selling crack cocaine to police informants in Lufkin, Texas, and being found guilty of two felony counts for possession of a controlled substance and the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.
NASCAR – EDWARDS GETS NEW CREW CHIEF
Bob Osborne cited undisclosed health concerns in his decision to relinquish the No. 99 Ford, which has been stuck in a slump since Edwards ended last season tied with Tony Stewart in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. The title went to Stewart on a tie-breaker.
"At this time in my life, however, concerns with my health have necessitated that I change my role within the organization."
Osborne, who guided Edwards to 18 wins and two runner-up finishes in the points, will move to a senior management position with Roush Fenway Racing. He'll be replaced as crew chief by Chad Norris, who has been with Roush since 2005 as a crew chief in the Nationwide and Truck Series.
"This transition is not an easy one, but I'm thankful to have the full support of Jack (Roush), Carl and the entire organization. I also have every confidence in Chad Norris, and I look forward to working with him as we continue to pursue a championship in 2012," said Osborne, who asked for privacy from the NASCAR community.
Osborne had run the No. 99 team since 2004, and Edwards took over that ride for the final 13 races of that season.
But Edwards is stuck in a 52-race losing streak dating back to Las Vegas last season, and at 11th in the point standings he's in danger of missing the Chase this season. Edwards has only worked with Osborne at the Cup level.
"I cannot say enough good things about Bob Osborne," Edwards said. "I'm so thankful for what he's done for me as a driver, and he is without a doubt one of the smartest guys in the sport. I'm also appreciative of the fact that he'll continue to be a resource for me and our team as we focus on these final races."
Norris since last season has led Roush Fenway's testing program, and has been crew chief for Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s limited Sprint Cup Series schedule and Trevor Bayne's partial Nationwide Series schedule.
Norris led Bayne to his inaugural Nationwide Series win at Texas Motor Speedway in November of 2011.
"We're very fortunate to have Chad Norris as part of our organization to take over for the No. 99," Edwards said. "I've known Chad for a long time and he is a fierce competitor. We've got our work cut out for us over the next seven races, and I've got every confidence Chad can lead our team to where we need to be."
The Drive 4-23-12 Adam Thompson
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