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Micah Parsons Says Cowboys Give Everyone a Fair Shot: “Doesn’t Matter Where You Come From”

FRISCO, Texas — Ahead of the Dallas Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp kicking off July 21, 2025, in Oxnard, California, star linebacker Micah Parsons delivered a powerful message about the team’s culture. His comments, made during a press conference Friday, appeared to subtly address recent gripes from former teammate Dante Fowler, who questioned his usage in Dallas’ defensive scheme.

“Here in Dallas, it doesn’t matter what round you were drafted or how you got here,” Parsons said. “Everybody gets a chance to prove themselves.”

Micah Parsons: I Like Doing It All | Dallas Cowboys 2021 - YouTube

Parsons’ words carry weight, rooted in his own journey. A first-round pick out of Penn State in 2021, he’s racked up 52.5 sacks in four seasons, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s premier defensive playmakers. Even amid ongoing contract negotiations—reportedly pushing for a deal worth around $40 million annually—Parsons remains focused on the grind.

“I had to earn my way at Penn State, and I’m still doing that here,” Parsons said. “Work hard, and you get noticed. That’s how we roll in Dallas.”

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The timing of his remarks raised eyebrows. Just days ago, Fowler, now with another team, voiced frustration over his limited role in the Cowboys’ defense, claiming he wasn’t utilized properly. Parsons’ comments served as a pointed reminder: in Dallas, success is earned, not handed out.

Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons says he won't hold out despite no contract

Fans on X didn’t miss the subtext. “Parsons is out here saying put in the work or pipe down,” one fan posted. “Look at CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Booker, and Donovan Ezeiruaku—they’ve all earned their stripes.”

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Parsons didn’t name names, and he didn’t need to. His message resonated, reinforcing the hard-nosed identity of the Cowboys’ locker room. With new head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus setting the tone, Parsons emphasized the importance of showing up: “I want to be out there with my guys, learning the playbook, getting ready for Week 1.”

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As training camp looms and roster battles heat up, Parsons’ words will echo beyond the headlines. For veterans, rookies, and anyone vying for a spot on this team, the standard is clear: show up, grind, and earn it every single day.

NFL Suspends Entire Officiating Crew Led by Craig Wrolstad After Controversial Finish in Seahawks–Buccaneers Game
October 8, 2025 – Seattle, WA The NFL has officially suspended referee Craig Wrolstad and his entire officiating crew following the explosive fallout from Sunday’s Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup — a 38–35 thriller marred by a string of controversial calls that fans say “handed the game” to Tampa Bay.   According to official NFL.com and ESPN data, the suspended crew — known as Crew 12 for the 2025 season — consisted of: Referee: Craig Wrolstad (#4) – Lead referee, responsible for major penalties such as pass interference and roughing the passer. Known for high penalty frequency (13.5 penalties/game in 2024). Umpire: Brandon Cruse (#45) – Oversaw the line of scrimmage, false starts, and holding infractions. Down Judge: Danny Short (#113) – Marked downfield yardage and sideline progress. Line Judge: Brett Bergman (#91) – Responsible for out-of-bounds and boundary plays. Field Judge: Jeff Shears (#108) – Monitored coverage plays and pass interference calls. Back Judge: Rich Martinez (#39) – Focused on deep coverage and signaling calls. The decision came after widespread outrage over inconsistent officiating in critical moments, which many believe tilted momentum toward the Buccaneers’ comeback. The crew has been accused of enforcing rules unevenly and issuing “late, selective, and phantom calls” in the second half. 🔥 Controversial Moments Leading to the Suspension 1️⃣ Illegal Man Downfield (2nd Half, 3rd & 12 – Seahawks Drive)The Seahawks were flagged for illegal man downfield on a shovel pass to Kenneth Walker — wiping out a first down and forcing a punt. Moments later, Tampa Bay executed a similar play, but the flag was picked up after brief discussion, allowing their drive to continue. That drive ended in a touchdown by Rachaad White. Fans on X called it “ridiculous inconsistency,” arguing that the call was selectively enforced against Seattle. 2️⃣ Phantom Defensive Holding (4th Quarter – Bucs Comeback Drive)On 3rd down deep in Buccaneers territory, officials threw a late flag for defensive holding on Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett, gifting Tampa Bay a first down that led to Baker Mayfield’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Shepard. Replays showed minimal contact, with analysts calling it “incidental at best.” PFF later graded the call as “incorrect.” 3️⃣ Late-Game Holding Calls (Final Minutes)As the game tightened, the Seahawks were penalized four times in the final quarter compared to Tampa’s one — including a questionable holding call after a tipped pass   and a weak illegal contact flag during Sam Darnold’s final drive. The penalties set up a deflected interception and the game-winning 39-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin as time expired. “Refs controlled the second half,” one viral post read. “That wasn’t football — that was theater.” The Wrolstad crew, which had officiated four of Seattle’s last five games, already had a reputation for overcalling offensive holding and inconsistent man-downfield enforcement. The Seahawks were 2–2 under Wrolstad’s crew entering Week 5. NFL Senior VP of Officiating Walt Anderson released a statement Monday night confirming the disciplinary action:   “The league expects consistency, accuracy, and fairness from all officiating crews. After a thorough review of the Seahawks–Buccaneers game, the NFL determined that multiple officiating decisions failed to meet our professional standards.” The entire crew will be removed from active assignments indefinitely, pending further internal evaluation. For Seahawks fans — and even some Buccaneers supporters — the suspension serves as long-overdue validation after what many called “one of the worst-officiated games of the season.” The debate over NFL officiating integrity continues, but one thing is clear: the fallout from Seahawks–Buccaneers has shaken confidence in the league’s officiating more than any game this year.