Cowboys Ex Dez Bryant As 'Life Coach': 'God Gave Me A Gift'

'Hollywood' Henderson. Roger Staubach. Dez Bryant. Anyone who wants to offer some help to this troubled society should be welcomed. Because we need it.

FRISCO - Dez Bryant's stated desire to be a "life coach'' for athletes was met with some immediate skepticism on social media - skepticism that provides instant evidence of how troubled some of us are.

“Any player that need it,” Bryant told TMZ Sports on his desire to serve as a mentor and life coach for athletes, with a particular focus on mental health. "God gave me a gift. I can really point out, 'Guys, OK, he better check himself before, you know.”

Bryant, 32, the Dallas Cowboys all-time leader in TD receptions who made an NFL comeback this year with the Baltimore Ravens, believes he can make what might be an even larger impact on the sports world. He cited the recent death of former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who died alone in his hotel room in Florida, reportedly as a result of alcoholism and a mental health issue.

“Depression and anxiety, all that s—t is real, man,” Bryant said. “Look at Vincent Jackson and God rest his soul. Look at some of our brothers we’ve lost. These young brothers in their early 30s, 40s … it don’t make sense.”

Also nonsensical: The criticism of anyone offering help.

Bryant's sincerity - and we can testify that he is nothing if not sincere - was met with quick smart-assed criticism from commenters on his Twitter page.

Wrote one: "Last I checked he (Bryant) flipped out over a covid test i mean i luv you dez but he should fix his flaws first''

Wrote another: "This is awesome. But can (Bryant) please fix himself 1st before giving advise (sic)?''

Social media can of course be a cesspool of stupidity and hate (not to mention poor grammar.) But there is irony here in Bryant offering to help a sports world ... and then people at least peripherally involved in that world scoffing at him - thus maybe revealing their own need for guidance.

The concept that Dez Bryant is unqualified to "give advise'' because he is a flawed human being suggests that every psychiatrist, therapist and counselor is without flaw. It's ignorant and it's mean ... and for all we know, it's the sort of approach that contributes to the worsening of the sports climate we live in.

There is no right way'' to mentor. I have long pondered whether, among old Dallas Cowboys, the "right guy'' is Thomas "Hollywood'' Henderson, who provides counseling by telling his rags-to-riches story, or squeaky-clean Roger Staubach, who famously noted, “I enjoy sex as much as (playboy QB) Joe Namath. Only I do it with one girl.''

Henderson. Staubach. Dez Bryant. Anyone who wants to offer some help to this troubled society should be welcomed. Because we need it. God Almighty do we need it.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Dallas Cowboys Legend Roger Staubach Family Shares Mental Health Concerns