Dez Bryant dedicates game ball vs. Jaguars to his daughter for convincing him to play again

After a tough road, Baltimore Ravens WR Dez Bryant saved the ball from his first TD catch in over three years for his daughter

For the second consecutive week, the Baltimore Ravens had something happen that is made-for-TV levels of perfect. After fighting back into the league, earning a shot with the Ravens, and having a COVID-19 scare; wide receiver Dez Bryant finally found the end zone. Bryant’s 11-yard touchdown catch in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars is the first in over three years for the veteran wide receiver.

Following Sunday’s win over the Jaguars and with ball-in-hand, Bryant dedicated the game ball to his daughter for pushing him to attempt a comeback. While it might not have always been pretty or perfect, Bryant’s emotion at the podium was undeniably pure.

Just take a look at Bryant’s heart-melting comment following Baltimore’s win Sunday:

 

I’m not crying, you’re crying . . .

Bryant hasn’t been one to shy away from his emotions, earning as much adoration as scorn from fans throughout his career because of it. When the Ravens signed him to the practice squad, Bryant admitted his emotions were “running high.” Bryant’s road back to the football field hasn’t been an easy one, making this moment all the sweeter.

After being released by the Dallas Cowboys following the 2017 season, Bryant signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2018 only to suffer a season-ending Achilles injury that held him out until this season when Baltimore picked up the phone. Even then, it took two tryouts for Bryant to get signed to the practice squad, a little longer before he was called up for his first game, and even longer before he made his first catch.

But Bryant’s comeback hit a major snag the same day as he was supposed to face his former team, the Cowboys. Shortly before kickoff, Bryant tested positive for COVID-19, seeing him pulled from the field and unable to play such an important game. Making matters worse, Bryant ended up testing negative following the game, making his way back to the 53-man roster just five days after being put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Prior to the game against Dallas, Bryant said it was his daughter’s questioning that made him try to play in the NFL again this season.

“My daughter kept asking me if I was going to play football, and I just ignored the question,” Bryant said. “I was like, ‘You know what, baby? I’m going to give it a go.’”

With his first touchdown catch of the season, Bryant said he was going to go Facetime his daughter and show her the game ball right after he was done with post-game interviews.

You can’t help but feel excited and proud of Bryant after a day like today.

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