REPORT: Ex-Penn State football star’s behavior dividing NFL team

Micah Parsons has quickly become one of the brightest young stars the NFL has to offer. But evidently, the former Penn State football star’s big personality on and off the field may be starting to create tension in the Dallas Cowboys locker room. Reports from over the weekend suggested that the ex-Nittany Lions’ attitude has “worn thin” on some within the organization. The reports have caused somewhat of a dividing line to form, with those around the Cowboys’ orbit taking sides for or against the standout edge rusher.

Micah Parsons has “worn thin” within Dallas Cowboys organization, per report

Despite his superstar status in the NFL, Micah Parsons’ days with the Dallas Cowboys may soon be numbered. That is, at least, according to Shan Shariff of 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, who spoke during his radio show Friday about discussions he’s had with those around the organization.

“I’ve heard from way too many people this offseason,” he said. “I’m talking about at least four different people [who have told me] that Micah has worn thin there.”

The Harrisburg native has been a force since entering the NFL, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, making three Pro Bowls, and earning first-team All-Pro honors in two of his three seasons. But that high-level production is apparently not enough for some to want to keep Micah Parsons in Dallas long-term.

“I don’t know how much is true and how much it actually hurts [Parsons’ reputation],” Shariff continued. “I don’t know whether this is the behavior of a typical superstar. I don’t how damaging it is. But all I do know is this – I’ve heard from way too many people that if Micah Parsons was out of there, there would be a decent amount of people inside the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco smiling or breathing a sigh of relief.”

Report dividing the Cowboys locker room?

The report caused quite a stir across the sports world over the weekend. When discussing the news, Wade Peery of On3’s 5Goats highlighted a story from earlier this offseason, in which former Cowboys wide receiver Jesse Holly labeled Micah Parsons the “most selfish player” on the Dallas roster because he doesn’t want to play linebacker. Parsons played 88% of his regular season snaps at defensive end last year.

However, some in the Dallas Cowboys locker room came to Parsons’ defense. Moments after Shariff’s comments went viral Friday, Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs took to social media to seemingly defend his teammate, commenting, “[That’s] that weird sh*t [shake my head].”

As of Monday morning, Micah Parsons has not commented on the report.

Parsons’ impact still felt around the Penn State football program

Whatever views those around the Dallas Cowboys may hold of him, there’s no doubt that Micah Parsons has become an excellent ambassador for Penn State football since leaving Happy Valley. Parsons has been back to address the team several times as an alumnus of the program, most recently this fall.

The Ex-Nittany Lion continues to maintain relationships with members of the program, including a new addition to the 2024 roster, former Ohio State Buckeye Julian Fleming.

“He just actually texted me the other day, saying he was happy to have me home,” Fleming said last Tuesday. “Just being able to have that prior relationship [with Parsons] and people that have been here and being able to talk to them about Penn State football [is special].”

At the top, James Franklin continues to tout Micah Parsons as one of the greatest success stories from his tenure with the Penn State football program.

“I’m super proud of him,” James Franklin said of Parsons, in part, last September. “I’m proud of the young man we recruited from ninth grade that took us on a rollercoaster ride during his recruiting process. We had some tough love when he was here. And he looks back on all this stuff with so much appreciation now. He’s always been super thoughtful. I loved how he embraced the whole Penn State experience. You would not find a bigger supporter of our wrestling program, because he loved how competitive they were and what Cael [Sanderson] has built here. He worked out with those guys. He’s passionate that he can be a professional bowler. He loves to play chess.

“I’m proud of him. He’s growing up to be a very well-rounded individual. And although he’s having a ridiculous amount of success when it comes to football, I think that’s just going to be a small part of Micah’s story. I’m very proud of him.”

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