Cowboys In Tears As Dez Bryant Pays Tribute to Late Father With Big TD In Pittsburgh

Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant played with a heavy heart in the Cowboys’ 35-30 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night. Bryant’s father, MacArthur Hatton, passed away from an undisclosed illness Saturday, but Bryant decided to still play. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy saw plenty of targets, but his biggest catch came on a 50-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.

Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News set the scene.

Bryant paused for a second in the back of the end zone, pointed to the sky and then blew a kiss. Tears started to flow as he fell to his knees. Several teammates consoled him.

After the game, he posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram page for his late father.

“Daddy I know GOD got you..” wrote Bryant. “I’m hurt but I refuse to ask why….you always wanted me to make sure things are good with the family especially my brothers…I honestly don’t know a man who walked this earth stronger than you…daddy I’m happy to take the torch…rip daddy.”

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Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, who lost his mother to colon cancer in 2013, said in the post-game press conference that the two found solace in each other’s experiences.

“I think the game gives him peace,” Prescott told reporters. “We kinda shared this morning about things I’ve been through and kinda let him know, I mean, this game brings me peace and I use it that way . . . [I told him] your father, he’s watching you, he’s got the best seat in the house, and he went out there and I told him to honor him today and Dez did exactly that, had a great night.”

“It was emotional,” added Cole Beasley to the Dallas Morning News. “There were a lot of guys with tears in here. We definitely feel for him. And all the stuff he’s been through in his life, he’s still persevering every day. It just shows who he is. He’s been fighting through stuff all his life. No matter what happens to him, he’s going to keep grinding.”

Bryant finished the day with six receptions for a season-high 116 yards and a touchdown. He was awarded the game ball in the locker room by head coach Jason Garrett and the two exchanged an emotional embrace

Watch Coach Garrett present @DezBryant with the game ball after the win against the Steelers. #FootballIsFamily

?: https://t.co/lnXpNzCpXM pic.twitter.com/1GChOGdaLC

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 14, 2016