Dez Bryant was 'set up' in parking-lot altercation, former NFL star's attorney alleges

Former Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant's attorney has alleged that the player was targeted and set up to create a viral moment in his altercation last month with 19-year-old Noah Reyes in a parking lot.

Bryant hired attorney Levi McCathern to represent him following the altercation with Reyes. The former Cowboys star was cited for assault by contact, a Class C misdemeanor in Texas.

"Dez didn't start this. He was targeted by someone who wanted a reaction, and they got one," McCathern told OutKick in a statement.

According to the attorney's account, Bryant was driving to dinner when Reyes and his crew started driving recklessly around him. They cut Bryant off and slammed on their brakes in front of him. McCathern said that is not just Bryant's account; multiple people have come forward to say they saw Reyes and his crew driving recklessly and putting lives at risk on a public road.

McCathern alleged that when Reyes failed to provoke a reaction, he threatened to shoot Bryant. The attorney said Bryant believed he was in real danger and had no way of knowing whether there was a gun.

Bryant himself says a police officer aimed a gun at him in front of his daughters on Sunday, after a confrontation with a man he alleges threatened to shoot him — an encounter that ended with Bryant receiving an assault citation.

McCathern said witnesses have come forward to back up Bryant's account, and alleged that Reyes has engaged in similar behaviour toward others. He alleged the confrontation was staged rather than accidental, set up to provoke Bryant into a public confrontation and create a viral moment on camera.

The attorney said the video going around does not show the driving and does not show the threat; it shows exactly what it was meant to show — the reaction — and that the full story looks very different.

Bryant is due in court for a hearing in the case on December 2.

The three-time Pro Bowler played nine seasons in the NFL, eight with the Cowboys and his final one with the Baltimore Ravens. In 119 games, he caught 537 passes for 7,506 yards and 75 touchdowns.