Bennett Fined For Rap Video

From Clarence E. Hill, Jr. of The Fort Worth Star Telegram:

IRVING -- Tight end Martellus Bennett is the first Dallas Cowboys player to feel the wrath of the team?s new get-tough plan.

The Cowboys have fined Bennett $22,000 for a profanity-laced YouTube video he put out earlier this week on his own channel Marty B TV, according to two sources.

In the video, Bennett did a freestyle rap with Dessie Brown to the song "Get Money", where he used profanity and invoked the names of owner Jerry Jones, tight end Jason Witten and quarterback Tony Romo. Bennett used derogatory terms toward blacks and gays.

He wore an autographed Cowboys helmet during the rap and was also drinking in the video.

According to a source, the team fined Bennett under a contract clause for conduct detrimental to the team. The $22,000 fine is akin to one game check.

The video, which had 23,970 views, has since been removed.

Bennett has since rapped an apology video on his YouTube channel.

In it, Bennett blames the media for blowing it out of proportion. He says it was only a rap, that he didn't shoot or kill anybody and that he was just having fun.

The video controversy is the latest of what was a scrutinized first season for Bennett, who got off on the wrong foot from the beginning when the Cowboys made him a second-round draft pick. His draft-day comment about Romo's girlfriend resulted in an immediate rebuke from tight ends coach John Garrett.

Throughout training camp, Bennett was criticized for his laid-back and fun-loving demeanor. He was dogged by accusations that he lacked passion for the game. Although he had a solid season on the field -- he caught 20 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns -- his laid-back attitude remained an issue. According to two sources, he was challenged to a fight by special teams captain Keith Davis, who didn't appreciate Bennett's laissez-faire style.

It was a familiar point a view.

"He's young. It's pure and simple," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said during the season. "He's just like my dad told me one time, 'If you'd quit trying to be so funny, you might get something done. Get serious with me, will ya?' My dad told me that, because I needed to quit screwing around."

After a disappointing and embarrassing season in which they have been forced to re-examine how they go about their business, it seems the Cowboys are becoming sterner.

Coach Wade Phillips and owner Jones promised change and more discipline going forward.

Bennett was the first to feel the wrath of the new policy.

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