Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy after a road rage confrontation in Southlake, Texas ended with police detaining him and issuing a citation.
According to a report published by Outkick, Bryant said the incident began when he was at a stoplight when he encountered two vehicles whose occupants Bryant believed were driving recklessly on the roadway. The situation escalated when all parties involved ended up at the same destination — Chiloso, a Mexican restaurant.
Bryant said while attempting to park, one car stopped in front of him allowing the other car to go ahead of both vehicles. At some point, the first vehicles' occupant got into a heated argument with Bryant and ends with claims that he threatened to shoot Bryant.
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,… pic.twitter.com/y5IYCgpz0O
— Jackson Thompson (@JackThompsonFOX) October 26, 2026
" You pull that gun, I'm telling you right now, you better use it, cause if you don't, I'm gonna do something to you" - Dez Bryant on Outkick
According to Bryant, after the individual threatened or insinuated he had a gun, the young man pulled out his cell phone and began to record him which prompted the former Pro Bowl receiver to slap the device out of his hands.
The individual then threatened to call the police, which Bryant encouraged believing he was the victim in this situation.
When the police arrived, all individuals involved were handcuffed and placed face down on the pavement while an armed police officer stood over them.
🚨OUTKICK EXCLUSIVE: A confrontation with alleged reckless drivers ends with Dez Bryant on the ground in handcuffs.
— OutKick (@Outkick) October 26, 2026
Police point a gun at the former Cowboys star as his daughters watch. Bryant was cited for assault following the incident. pic.twitter.com/DOpnR4WMLP
Bryant was ultimately cited for assault by contact, a Class C misdemeanor under Texas law. The citation reportedly states that he was not arrested and directs him to appear in Southlake Municipal Court by November 20.
Bryant maintains he acted in self-defense and wants authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. He also says that the encounter was particularly troublesome because his daughters witnessed the incident.
He questions whether the officers adequately investigated his account of the events leading up to the confrontations, including his allegation that one of the men threatened him.
This incident adds another chapter to the public life of one of the most recognizable players in Cowboys history. Bryant spent eight seasons in Dallas, recording 531 receptions for 7,459 yards and a club record 73 touchdown catches while earning three Pro Bowl selections.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dez Bryant details tense confrontation that led to police detainment