Micah Parsons has the potential to be a Hall of Fame talent, but could his off-field activities affect his journey to greatness?
The Dallas Cowboys and all players associated with the team, whether new or old, have been some of the first professional athletes in any sport to grab headlines.
This is both a blessing and a curse. It can bring incredible positivity to the team, but there are always negatives that bring the team back down to earth.
Parsons is just like any other twenty-something who lives and dies by social media. Could this be a problem for team chemistry or Parsons’ ability to reach his full potential?
Social Media and Micah Parsons
Malik Hooker recently talked about Parsons and his frequent podcasts. As my fellow writer Shane Taylor stated,
“Hooker seems to think that Parsons, like many others, needs to stay more locked in during the season and not worry about his podcast as much.”
This spat between teammates is probably overblown, but thanks to social media it seems to be everywhere associated with the Dallas Cowboys.
Does Hooker have a point? We are in a day and age where it seems everything is posted on social media. People cannot put down their phones.
I am just as guilty of spending time on social media, but the younger generation seems to take it to another level.
Parsons hosts a weekly podcast, which he records only on his days off. This scheduling choice may impact its potential.
We recently saw Parsons exploits in his travels to Japan.
This is his off time, but does sharing it on his podcast for the world to see help or harm his image?
While his teammates participated in voluntary workouts, he was posting on his podcast. The time he spent in Japan could have been used to improve his skills on the field.
Putting this on social media, as we saw with Hooker’s comments, might have bothered his teammates more than expected.
Team Chemistry
The thing social media can destroy quickly is team chemistry.
Strong team chemistry is crucial for a successful season, and a lack of interaction with teammates can lead to divisions within the locker room.
The trip to Japan was merely the most recent issue to surface on social media.
For those who have tuned into the podcast, it covers a broad range of subjects, including discussions about various NFL players.
At what point does the podcast topic become about teammates or his contract issues? This could lead to problems not only on his team but around the NFL.
Parsons is a solid team player and has definitely earned respect for his performance on the field. But if his teammates’ murmurs start getting louder, it could turn into a big deal in the locker room.
Parsons is polarizing
Once Micah Parsons set foot on the field, he electrified the league with his unstoppable energy and a string of remarkable plays.
Parsons needs to understand that how he conducts himself off the field reflects the kind of player he aspires to be on the field.
Everyone is watching, he is a Dallas Cowboy, and the media is constantly looking for a reason to talk about the organization.
His brand is hot right now and social media helps tremendously. It helps keep him in the headlines and on everyone’s feeds.
He could be a generational talent if he keeps heading in the right direction.
Parsons is part of the right team to host a podcast and receive continuous attention. The team owner enjoys being in the spotlight, and having a player reach millions only benefits the organization.
Keep in mind the following: At some stage, the organization could potentially leverage this information to his disadvantage, especially during negotiations over contracts.
Having fame and fortune may seem great, but people can quickly turn and use social media against you.
Hopefully, this whole ordeal does not split the locker room and create animosity among teammates.
This year, an epic showdown between two experienced players could potentially weaken what has the potential to be a formidable defense.
I suspect a specific ESPN reporter is eager to criticize the Dallas Cowboys and their young star. Let’s not give him more talking points, please.