Ex-Raiders WR’s Return From 5-Year Hanging Slice Shortly…

Ex-Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant attempted to return to the NFL after serving a five-year suspension, hoping to show off his previous abilities if given the opportunity. At least the Cowboys gave him a look this fall when they added him to their practice squad, rather than the Raiders. However, he was unable to return to the field, and Dallas cut the former fourth-round pick on Thursday as part of a flurry of roster changes.

Following his turbulent 2018 season with the Raiders, Bryant harbored some hope of atonement. In April of 2018, the Raiders acquired him in a trade with the Steelers; however, on September 1st, the same year, he was released from his initial suspension. On September 12, the Raiders re-signed him after the league gave him permission to play while he filed an appeal. That week, Bryant made his Raiders debut with four receptions for thirty yards.

Before the league finally suspended him indefinitely due to substance abuse, he played eight games and caught 19 passes for 266 yards for the Raiders. Bryant signed a contract with the Cowboys in November after the suspension was lifted in October.

Raiders Coach Jon Gruden: ‘White Tiger Came Out Today’

Bryant seemed to be the kind of player the Raiders had come to be known for during his brief tenure: someone who could take misbehaving outcasts from other organizations and turn them into productive players while avoiding punishment from the outside world.

At the time, Raiders coach Jon Gruden described Martavis Bryant as a kind of rare beast—a player who was great when he showed up but unreliable when he did.

“The white tiger was always in his cage when you went to the zoo twelve or thirteen times. But after a strong practice from the mysterious Raiders receiver, “the white tiger came out today,” Gruden remarked. “Martavis Bryant was revealed. I’m not sure if you understood the analogy, but he occasionally shows up to play and occasionally doesn’t. Seeing him is welcome because, like the white tiger, he is truly unique.

And if he had been given a chance, he might have shown more in his comeback to the NFL. However, Dallas has young Jalen Tolbert behind CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Brandin Cooks at receiver. Bryant was never given the opportunity to play football because the Cowboys were able to maintain their receiver corps.

Martavis Bryant Went to ‘Really Dark Places’

Nevertheless, it is simple to support Martavis Bryant’s return as a human being and as a former Raiders player. At thirty-one, he claims he hasn’t lost a step, but his chances of ever playing again have nearly doubled. He was aware of his past transgressions and made a concerted effort to sober up and return to football.

Bryant claimed that it was challenging to spend time away from the NFL. He experienced mental health issues.

“Man, I went to some really dark places and times that you can’t even imagine.” I really don’t want to talk about it because I had to put in a lot of effort to get through those times. But for me, it was a difficult period.

To prepare for a return to the league, Bryant participated in games in the XFL and the Arena League. Additionally, he needed to persuade Roger Goodell’s staff that he was prepared to play in the NFL once more.

“To begin with, it began with the NFL. I had to go through six months of testing, counselors, and fulfilling a lot of their requests,” Bryant remarked. “My agent informed several teams that I would be back on the field shortly. Dallas also showed interest.

Well, they were. Right up until Thursday.