Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant said the team has nothing to worry about and that he's focused on preparing for the football season.
The comments, made to 103.3 FM's "Ben and Skin Show" on Wednesday, came after Deion Sanders cut ties with the second-year wide receiver and told an Atlanta radio station that the Cowboys are even more concerned about Bryant than he is.
"All I know is everybody's entitled to their own opinion," Bryant told 103.3 FM in an interview that was delayed because he had gone running in the morning. "In my eyes, I feel like the Cowboys have nothing to worry about. I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. … I'm ready to go out and play football and do what I do best."
Sanders, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, said he decided to part ways with Bryant because the young receiver lied to him. Sanders had been serving as a mentor for the past few years, which led to issues with the NCAA while Bryant was at Oklahoma State. The NCAA said the relationship violated regulations, and Bryant ultimately left the program.
While Bryant said he has fixed some problems and has his priorities straight, Sanders is concerned about the people surrounding him.
"It's hard to talk to a person when they have millions, man, because there is so much noise in their life," Sanders said on the Atlanta radio station. "Everybody around them is employed and they have 'yes men.' You gotta start hiring a 'no' man. Somebody who's going to tell you 'no,' and somebody who's going to tell you the truth.
Sanders said he had to cut his "umbilical cord" with Bryant because of the negative perception it could cause while Sanders is attempting to mentor other youth and open schools.
"I can't have that on my record," Sanders said. "So I had to cut that cord. Because you can't keep doing the same old thing that you've always done. You're going to get the same old thing you've always got. So that's why I had to separate myself."
Bryant told the "Ben and Skin Show" that he's in "way better shape" than he was at the same time last year and that he has dropped 10 pounds.
"My focus is on the Cowboys," said Bryant, who added that he's excited for Sanders to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. "Whatever is said about that situation can be said. I'm done with it. I'm ready to move on.
Bryant said he's also talked to his inner circle to fix some problems and improve his focus.
"I know the main guys I do have around me," Bryant said. "I put 'em to work. They know they're not going to live off this. … We all have to stay focused. And it's only three of us really. And one of my other good friends. We're all good friends, but there's only three of us that have to be working."
