Cowboys’ Micah Parsons admits taking criticism as ‘privilege’
In his three years in the NFL, Micah Parsons has proved that he is an elite linebacker and would one day end up in the Hall of Fame, but even he has areas where he needs to improve upon.

Micah Parsons claimed criticism is a privilege (Image via IMAGO)
Even before entering the NFL, people knew that Micah Parsons was a baller. After joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, he has been an All-Pro twice and has 3 Pro Bowl appearances, backing up his dominance on the gridiron.
Despite the praise and accolades, Parsons believes he hasn’t reached his full potential just yet and can still kick it up a notch. So, when fans and football critics point out his shortcomings, he doesn’t get offended instead, he prefers to take it as a lesson and improve on it. Parsons revealed this while attending his youth camp on Friday.
The criticism is a privilege because sometimes a great standard is not good enough for those who are greater.Micah Parsons told Sophia Vesely of Dallas Morning News
Parsons has faced criticism for not showing up when it matters the most. Even though he remains a matchwinner during the regular seasons, amassing 40.5 sacks, it’s the postseason where he has struggled the most with just 1 sack in 4 games.
Yet, the 25-year-old welcomes the criticism, because he believes it becomes the fuel for better performances.
It is not a negative thing. [It is the most] positive thing people can say to me because it pushes me and challenges me to be better.Micah Parsons added
In March, PFF ranked Micah Parsons as the third in their Top 100 players from the 2023 NFL season, with a grade of 93.7. He was only behind Browns Myles Garrett who won the Defensive Player of the Year award and Dolphins Tyreek Hill who put his career-best 1799 receiving yards.
Micah Parsons centered his focus on improving his physicality
The Penn State graduate is a 6 foot 3, 245-pounder raging lion that tears down the opposition d-line to carve out a sack or a tackle. Yet, he still believes in improving his physicality.

In the past, Parsons has constantly complained about referees not awarding him with more holding calls. If he can increase his strength, then perhaps he can outmuscle defenders more easily.
I have been doing a lot of muscle endurance. I have been doing a lot of lunges and a lot of squats. My legs are going to keep going.Micah Parsons said
#Cowboys Micah Parsons working out at SandersFit Performance Center in Dallas, TX.
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) March 28, 2024
Home of the famed Derrick Henry and NFL player workout videos ?
(?: @ sandersfit_) pic.twitter.com/zt3Cg2bcV0
He has been busy, but not in the traditional way. Parsons prefers to mix things up during the offseason. Recently, he toured China and Japan, participating in various activities alongside Texans quarterback CJ Stroud.
The pair went toe to toe in Sumo, and Parsons even got the better of a pro. Later, they challenged each other for the first pitch at a baseball game in Tokyo.
In case you missed it:
- Aaron Rodgers’ shenanigans suggest the Jets need to brace for another horror of a season
- WATCH: ‘Service with a smile’ Texans WR Tank Dell working at Chick-Fil-A with trainer Justin Allen