A number of people came to the defense of Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper after he was ripped by ESPN analyst Rex Ryan on Friday. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Rex Ryan's harsh comments about Cowboys WR Amari Cooper receive backlash

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 4/3/20

Rex Ryan's comments about Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper Friday morning on ESPN's "Get Up" weren't warranted, according to some journalists.

Ryan said the Cowboys were crazy to sign Cooper to a five-year, $100 million deal, adding that Cooper is a "turd," among other things.

Ryan's negative comments were met with backlash, especially considering Cooper has dealt with several injuries and is considered a very hard worker on and off the football field.

What has Amari Cooper done to deserve this personal attack? He’s a hard worker, played through injuries, and is a good teammate. Rex Ryan should apologize. https://t.co/rSHzKHdP73
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2020

This is wrong and over the line. You can be critical. But Cooper is a class act. Played through injuries all last season. Had the two most productive years of his career in Dallas. It is wrong and classless to call him a turd. https://t.co/Y3ZM5bt1jY
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) April 3, 2020

Ryan's comments, in general, were rather odd. ... Cooper has had four 1,000-plus yard seasons in five years in the NFL. The 25-year-old Cooper has been one of the Cowboys' best receivers over the past two seasons and was deserving of a new deal.

It's not like Ryan would know the difference between a good and bad receiver — he wasn't the best NFL head coach when he was with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, sporting a career record of 61-66.

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