Cowboys Rookie Apologizes For ‘9-11’ Reference

Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons apologized this week for a social media post that offended some NFL fans who thought he was disrespectful of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Parsons, who will wear No. 11, reposted a photo to his Instagram story of veteran teammate Jaylon Smith, who recently changed his uniform to No. 9.

The caption read, “9-11 thats so scary,” according to TheSpun.com.

Parsons said he was making a reference to what has the potential to be one of the NFL’s best linebacker combinations and the key to turning around a historically bad 2020 Cowboys defense, the New York Post reports.

Fans voiced their displeasure with this post, believing Parsons was referring to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“Man people are sick,” Parsons wrote Thursday on Twitter. “I would never disrespect my country in any I was supporting my teammate and jersey numbers! The vet and the rookie! If you took any offense I apologize to all and to all those involved.”

Parsons was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The former Penn State standout joins a shallow linebacker depth chart and is expected to start at the Cowboys’ starting strong-side LB in Week 1.