Fox Sports 1's morning debate show, "Undisputed" had been building up hype that reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons would be a weekly guest on the show, joining the program.
During the Cowboys' "Sunday Night Football" clash against the Buccaneers, co-host Skip Bayless tweeted it out, saying that the first Tuesday after Week 1 would be Parsons' first of many weekly appearances on the show.
YOU CAN SEE MICAH PARSONS EVERY TUESDAY DURING THE SEASON ON UNDISPUTED, STARTING DAY AFTER TOMORROW.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 12, 2022
When the announcement came, Parsons tweeted out his excitement about joining in the program.
Blessings ! Excited to start this journey ! https://t.co/9go0KPykHa
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) August 24, 2022
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Only one problem: Parsons was a no-show. Bayless explained on the show that the network had equipment installed in Parsons' Dallas home and he had been excited about joining the show weekly after the announcement was made, but the day before the episode, he went radio silent.
"Then yesterday came, and all day yesterday, we could not reach Micah. Then, as we got into the evening, we couldn't even reach any of his people," Bayless said. "So it led us to believe well maybe he was just crushed by the opening-night loss, which is highly possible. We are still extremely hopeful that he will join us next Tuesday."
Micah parsons ghosted skip bayless & undisputed staff & will not be on undisputed today 😭
— Shannonnn sharpes burner (@shannonsharpeee) September 13, 2022
Micah still hurt from the loss 😭 pic.twitter.com/ANAKVyPRob
Why Micah Parsons missed 'Undisputed'
Sunday wasn't exactly the ideal start for the reigning NFC East champion and Super Bowl contending Cowboys. Dallas' offense mustered just three points in a stunning 19-3 loss to the Buccaneers that saw star quarterback Dak Prescott hurt in the fourth quarter in an injury that will cost him several games.
According to the Dallas Star Telegram's Clarence E. Hill Jr., Parsons missed his scheduled appearance with the show because he felt the need to be a leader for the team after the tough opening weekend.
"My starting QB went down and we lost," Parsons said, per the Star Telegram. "I just didn't think it was appropriate for me to be on the show at that point. I need to step up and be a leader. It shouldn't be on TV, it should be in this locker room. This is where my focus should be right now."
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Parsons said there was a miscommunication between his team and Fox Sports 1 after he had decided not to appear on the show.
"I got people that handle that type of stuff," Parsons said, per the Star Telegram. "If there was a miscommunication on that part, I will correct that. I have nothing but love for Skip and Shannon. I wouldn't just no-show anybody like that. A man is only as good as his word."
Parsons might not have told FS1 that he wouldn't be appearing on the show, but he was not completely silent. As the Tuesday episode of the show was going on, Parsons tweeted out asking his followers to call EA Sports and ask them to improve his zone coverage rating in the video game, "Madden 23."
They keep doing me wrong!! Need y’all to dial this hotline to get my #Madden23 ratings right… 689-278-3030 let em’ hear it! #EAathlete pic.twitter.com/l10OI7tF2g
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) September 13, 2022
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Co-host Shannon Sharpe was more critical of Parsons than Bayless. According to the New York Post, Sharpe said while he understood that the loss was crushing and difficult, he did not understand why he would not respond to the network.
"Just say, 'Look, at this point in time I just want to focus on football. I'm sorry to have led you guys on but right now football is the most important thing and I'm not gonna be able to do it right now,'" Sharpe said, per the Post.
Sharpe also said he wished Parsons would have had a "little more class" when he canceled his appearance on the show, according to the Post.
The Star Telegram reported Parsons expects to appear on the show following Week 2.
