IRVING, Texas -- Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson says the only reason Dez Bryant's sideline outbursts during Sunday's game in Detroit received so much attention is because the Dallas Cowboys lost, 31-30.
Had the Cowboys not allowed a last-minute Detroit touchdown drive, the All-Pro running back says there wouldn't have been stories about Bryant's second-half theatrics.
"I really didn't see anything too bad about it," Peterson said Wednesday during a conference call at Valley Ranch, "outside of the Cowboys had lost in the last seconds and this is what they want to focus on now, because I'm sure if the Cowboys pulled that game off, we're not talking about Dez Bryant and his reaction.
"I seen an emotional player. I don't know him like that. You hear stories, this, that and the other. OK, I don't know. I see an emotional player out there trying to win and voicing his opinion. When you're labeled a certain way people will sit there and make their assumptions and think what they want to think about it.
"It's not that big of a deal for them to be on ESPN and NFL Network, harping on this guy and what happened on the sidelines. It's just funny that if the Cowboys win that game, they're not talking about that."
It certainly wasn't the first time Bryant has yelled at Tony Romo or spiked his helmet near the team's bench, however, it's the first time respected Pro Bowl veterans like Jason Witten and DeMarcus Ware have been noticeably involved.
Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota
