Dallas Cowboys: Former Rival Wide Receiver Calls Out Locker Room Culture Amidst Micah Parsons Beef

The Dallas Cowboys have been in the headlines a great deal this offseason, though not for what one might call the right reasons. To be fair, at least they have not had the legal issues that several Kansas City Chiefs players have had, but the discussions surrounding them have been far from positive. CeeDee Lamb is holding out for a new contract and Dak Prescott‘s contract negotiations have not really gone anywhere either.

NFL Dallas Cowboys give Micah Parsons 5th Year Option.

The uncertainty surrounding two of their superstars has surely put a cloud over the organization. Dallas simply has to go on a deep run in the NFL Playoffs in order for the franchise to avoid a rebuild. Mike McCarthy certainly needs one if he is going to remain head coach beyond this year.

In other words, the Cowboys cannot afford any distractions. Unfortunately, a recent public beef between All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons and safety Malik Hooker has, once again, distracted from what should be the team’s ultimate goal: winning a Super Bowl.

Dallas Cowboys Defensive Stars Micah Parsons and Malik Hooker Have a Public Disagreement

Dallas Cowboys, Malik Hooker
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) is tackled Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

In a recent appearance on All Facts No Brakes, Hooker was critical of Parsons having his own podcast during the season. He said:

“My advice for Micah would be just make sure we’re alright and being where your feet are. Because if we’re at work and, you know, the run game’s terrible but you’re doing a podcast every week and you know the run game is terrible then what are you really caring about? Are you caring about the crowd that was watching the podcast or are you caring about the success of our team and the Super Bowl that we’re trying to reach?”

After seeing the clip on social media, Parsons posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“Just wish you said this to me but instead on some podcast! And you got my number family! @MalikHooker24 and you my locker mate! So you coulda said this any day! And you do realize I shoot the podcast on our off day! I why ain’t we talking about everyone preparations and focus.”

It is rather ironic that Hooker was criticizing Parsons for having a podcast while he was on actual podcast himself. Parsons, too, has a right to be upset due to the fact that this is the kind of opinion that should have brought to him face to face.

This public disagreement has drawn many comments from fans, and some criticism towards the team for the culture they have created.

Former NFL Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress Criticizes the Dallas Cowboys Over Micah Parsons and Malik Hooker

Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons, Plaxico Burress, Malik Hooker
Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

During his show Up On Game, former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress had the following to say in regard to the Parsons-Hooker beef:

“This would never happen in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room. These things would never happen because everyone is their own leader. If you’ve got a problem with somebody, it’s gonna get addressed. This is how we governed our football team.

“You got a problem with somebody, whatever they’re doing, if they ain’t out there giving effort that you think they should be playing with, we address you to your face like a grown man in Pittsburgh. That’s the difference between playing in a locker room with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants versus the Dallas Cowboys.”

Of course, Burress is right. Hooker should have brought his concern to Parsons instead of putting him on blast publicly.