Michael Irvin Praises Dallas Cowboys Receiver Dez Bryant, Who Is Being Mentored By Michael Jordan

Dallas Cowboys legendary receiver Michael Irvin is saluting his heir apparent as “a guy that’s starting to understand the totality of the game.”

Speaking about rising star Dez Bryant, Irvin told ESPN “What I’m seeing is good things. Every man that comes into the league has to understand the big picture of the game, and that’s what he’s starting to see now. When you start seeing the totality of the game and the importance that you have, that’s when it starts clicking.”

All systems appear ready to go for the ultra-talented Bryant, who earlier this summer aligned himself with NBA legend Michael Jordan as one of his mentors.

Added Irvin: “I like to measure men in distance traveled. When you look at where Dez came from – I’m talking about his upbringing – the story becomes a good story, an inspirational story to tell other young kids that are starting in a tough place. Just because you start here doesn’t mean you have to end here. Then you point to some people who have had some struggles, like a Dez Bryant, but came through on the other end to give that kid hope. That’s why it’s important.”

Bryant’s history of growing up in a broken home and sometimes even homeless are legendary. But now Irwin seems convinced even those experiences can work to his advantage.

“He has it physically,” he said. “When he put it all together with what he does mentally, then he becomes an explosive player, because a lot of the little plays with his ability can always be big plays.

Not only that, I love his story. I love his journey. His journey wasn’t, everything was given to you. He came from a hard place. Yeah, he had some bumps in the road, but he’s doing what he needs to do now. That makes the story applicable to so many other people’s lives, and it makes it inspirational that I can use for so many other stories.”