Micah Parsons declined to participate in the Dallas Cowboys OTAs last month, much to the displeasure of head coach Mike McCarthy who wanted him to be there to work with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. But this week, Micah Parsons gave his perspective on the situation.
As he joins the Dallas Cowboys for the team’s mandatory minicamp this week, Micah Parsons defended his decision to skip OTAs, explained that he is “an undersized rusher that gets banged up every year,” explaining that the spring is a time that he values for “letting my body heal and grow, strengthen, and get ready for the year.”
Parsons went on to explain that all of his value to the team comes from his physical ability, so he has to protect himself.
“Understanding the business side of it, too,” Parsons said according to the team’s website. “This is all I have. This is all I have to offer to the Cowboys. Before you sign a contract, you go through a physical, before you’re even on a team. This is your engine. This is where all of my equity lies. I have no other equity to offer them, and availability is the best ability. If I’m not available when it really matters because my body is not healing property or I didn’t get all of the rehab I need to be successful, then that’s on me. It’s not on them. They’ll just find the next me.”
The whole situation between Parsons and the team led to a lot of reactions on social media.
Not playing a game in five months and your body needs more rest? Crazy times man.
— Tonya Bailey (@tbailey1976) June 5, 2024
Over 4 months off wasn’t enough time?
— RogerDorsey (@lumpymcdumpy) June 4, 2024
Not like Dallas played deep into the post season or anything. Should be well rested by now.
— Sean Lyle (@Dijitek) June 4, 2024
Dude was just going at sumo wrestlers, c’mon now
— Kyle (@K_Kreul) June 4, 2024
Not a leader.
— HuntnGame (@Huntngame) June 5, 2024
That’s why they’re optional
— Kevin Stanfield (@StanfieldKevin) June 5, 2024
Clearly, Parsons was very intentional about why he was not attending the team’s OTAs.
