Desmond Demond Bryant (born November 4, 1988) is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Oklahoma State University, and earned All-American honors. He was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys number 24 overall in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
PRO: The Dallas Cowboys saw fortune fall their way in the bottom half of the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft when Dez Bryant was still on the board. Regarded by many as one of the top wide receivers and all-around collegiate athletes in the draft class, Bryant found a home with the Cowboys when Dallas traded its 27th overall pick along with a third round choice to New England for the 24th overall pick and a fourth round selection to move up to take the wide receiver. Despite playing just three games as a junior, missing the remainder of the season due to an NCAA mandated suspension, Cowboys personnel staff and coaches saw enough on Bryant’s résumé to make the move in order to add a receiver with the ability to change the game. Bryant did not disappoint in his injury-shortened rookie season as he finished second all-time among club rookies with 45 catches, third with six receiving touchdowns, tied for fifth with eight overall touchdowns and fifth with 564 yards. As was the case at Oklahoma State, Bryant also proved to be a threat on special teams as he returned two punts for touchdowns, including a 93-yarder, averaged 14.3 yards-per-punt return and 22.4 yards-per-kickoff return. Bryant was healthy for the majority of his second season, battling a thigh bruise early which forced him to miss one game. Despite the injury, Bryant finished second on the team in all receiving categories with 63 catches for 928 yards and nine touchdowns. He also led the team with 103 yards on 15 punt returns for a 6.9-yard average. The native Texan (attended Lufkin High School, 175 miles southeast of Dallas) looks to carry on the strong tradition of Cowboys receivers wearing the number 88 as both Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin had storied careers in the number.
Early years
Bryant was born in Galveston County, Texas, but eventually moved to Lufkin, Texas, where he attended Lufkin High School. As a junior, he caught 48 passes for 1,025 yards and 16 touchdowns. Bryant, along with defensive lineman Jamarkus McFarland, led Lufkin to a 14–1 record, including an appearance in the 5A Division II state semi-finals, where they lost 46–28 to Todd Dodge's Southlake Carroll. In his senior year, Bryant had 53 receptions for 1,207 yards with 21 touchdowns, and was an All-State selection. Lufkin finished the season 11–1, after losing 38–25 to Round Rock in the area round of the playoffs. After the season, Bryant participated in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl. He was also named an All-American by Parade and SuperPrep.
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Bryant was listed as the No. 9 wide receiver prospect in the class of 2007, and the second from Texas behind only Terrence Toliver. Recruited by numerous major programs, including most Big 12 schools, Bryant took official visits to Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech, before committing to the Cowboys. He was just the fourth Parade All-American to sign with OSU since 1985.
College career
Bryant attended Oklahoma State University from 2007 to 2008 and was a member of the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team coached by Mike Gundy. As a freshman in 2007, he finished second on the team with 43 receptions for 622 yards and 6 touchdowns in 12 games. In a game against the University of Kansas Jayhawks, he set an OSU record for receiving yards in a game by a freshman with 155. In the 2007 Insight Bowl, he recorded 9 receptions for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 49–33 win against the Indiana Hoosiers.
Bryant finished the 2008 season for Oklahoma State with 87 receptions for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns, including 2 punt returns for touchdowns. Bryant was ruled ineligible for the rest of the 2009 season on October 7 for violating an NCAA bylaw. He failed to fully disclose his interaction with Deion Sanders, a former NFL player, to the NCAA. He was considered the best receiver in 2009 and a possible Heisman contender before the suspension.
College awards and honors
2007 Second-team freshman All-America
2008 First team All-America by AFCA-Coaches, Associated Press, Walter Camp, Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly, Sports Illustrated
Professional career
2010 NFL Draft
On November 5, 2009, Bryant announced his intentions to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. He was widely believed to be the best wide receiver available and to be targeted by the Denver Broncos (11th pick overall), who traded their Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins prior to the draft. If he slipped by the Broncos, Bryant was projected to fall no lower than No. 27 to the Dallas Cowboys. After dropping because of character concerns, the Cowboys traded up with the New England Patriots moving from the 27th to the 24th position to select Bryant. For the move the team sent a third (No. 90) round draft choice, while receiving the Patriots fourth (No. 119) round draft choice.
Dallas Cowboys
2010:
• Despite playing in only 12 games due to a fractured ankle, finished third on the team in receiving yards (561) and touchdown catches (six) and fourth in receptions (45).
• His 45 catches were the second-most among rookies in club history while his touchdown catches were third and his receiving yards were fifth.
• Among league rookies in 2010, his touchdown receptions were third while his receiving yards were fourth.
• Also shined on return teams, returning two punts for touchdowns and finishing his shortened season with a 14.3 average on 15 punt returns.
• Is the fifth club rookie with a punt return for a touchdown on his résumé, just the second with two and the fifth overall to take back more than one in a season.
• Also saw time as a kickoff returner, boasting a 24.4-yard average on 12 kickoff returns.
• Made his NFL debut in the season opener at Washington (9/12) and finished second on the team with eight catches for 56 yards to tie a club rookie single-game receptions record (Bob Hayes, vs. Philadelphia, 10/10/65, and Jason Witten, vs. Miami, 11/27/03). Also had one punt return for 11 yards.
• In the home opener against Chicago (9/19), scored his first career professional touchdown on a 62-yard punt return - the first Dallas rookie with a punt return for a touchdown since Reggie Swinton took one 65 yards for a score against Denver (11/22/01). Also had two catches for 52 yards.
• Finished the win at Houston (9/26) with four catches for 50 yards and a punt return for 12 yards.
• Made his first career start in a three-receiver set against Tennessee (10/10) and finished with three catches for 22 yards and three punt returns for one yard.
• Had one catch for a 31-yard touchdown - his first career receiving touchdown - at Minnesota (10/17).
• Against the N.Y. Giants (10/25) had a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown which was the second-longest punt return in Cowboys history and the second-longest by a rookie - Dennis Morgan, 98 yards, at St. Louis (10/13/74). It also was his second punt return for a touchdown on the season to make him the seventh Cowboy and the first league rookie to accomplish the feat since Devin Hester had three in 2006.
• Also against the Giants, hauled in two touchdown passes to mark his first career multiple-receiving touchdown game. With three overall touchdowns on the day, became the first Cowboys rookie with three touchdowns in a game since Emmitt Smith had four against Phoenix (12/16/90).
• On the day, had four catches for 54 yards, two touchdowns, one punt return for a 93-yard touchdown and two kickoff returns - the first of his career - for 25 yards.
• Had seven catches for 84 yards and a 12-yard punt return against Jacksonville (10/31).
• Led the team with a team rookie record nine catches for 86 yards with a touchdown and two punt returns for four yards at Green Bay (11/7).
• Led the team with his first 100-yard effort at the N.Y. Giants (11/14) with 104 yards and a touchdown along with four kickoff returns for 86 yards. His 104 yards marked the first 100-yard outing by a Dallas rookie since Antonio Bryant rattled off 170 yards at Washington (12/29/02).
• Against Detroit (11/21) caught three passes for eight yards and a touchdown with a kickoff return for 15 yards. Upped his season receptions total to 44 to tie Antonio Bryant (2002) for second among Cowboys rookies. His sixth receiving touchdown also tied Bryant for the second-most by a team rookie.
• Was held without a catch for the first time of his career on Thanksgiving Day against New Orleans (11/25). Had two kickoff returns for 60 yards, including a 31-yarder, and one punt return for 13 yards.
• In the overtime win at Indianapolis (12/5), had one catch for 14 yards and three kickoff returns for 107 yards with a career-long 43-yard return before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter with a fractured right ankle. Was placed on Reserve/Injured Dec. 8 after undergoing surgery on his right ankle on Dec. 6.
2011:
• Finished second on the team in all receiving categories, with 63 catches for 928 yards (14.7 avg.) and nine touchdowns.
• Opened the 2011 season at the N.Y. Jets (9/11) with three catches for 71 yards and a punt return for 12 yards - all in the first quarter - before suffering a thigh injury and being limited throughout the rest of the game.
• Missed the overtime win at San Francisco (9/18) with a thigh injury.
• Returned to the starting lineup for the home-opening win over Washington (9/26) and had a team-best 63 yards on four catches.
• Had a season-best five catches for a season-high 90 yards with a touchdown against St. Louis (10/23).
• Was held to three catches for 28 yards at Philadelphia (10/30).
• Finished the Washington (11/20) win with three catches for 68 yards and one touchdown catch.
• Had three catches for 35 yards and a season-long 20-yard punt return on Thanksgiving Day against Miami (11/24). His long return came on Dallas’ game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter.
• Led the team with eight catches for a team-best 86 yards with his seventh touchdown catch of the season at Arizona (12/4).
• Was held to just one catch - a 50-yard touchdown reception for the longest catch of his career - and a punt return for 10 yards against the N.Y. Giants (12/11).
• Had four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown in the win at Tampa Bay (12/17).
• Led the team with six catches and 62 receiving yards in the home finale against Philadelphia (12/24).
• Closed out the season at the N.Y. Giants (1/1/12) with six catches for 70 yards, two punt returns for 13 yards and his first three kickoff returns for 55 yards.
2012
Dez had a good start in the 2012 Season, bringing in 85 yards on only 4 catches (21.3 YPC/Yards Per Catch average) in a 24-17 win against division rivals, the New York Giants.
The next two weeks were shaky at best, as he hauled in only 79 receiving yards on 9 receptions and no touchdowns. Dallas would lose the game in week 2 versus the Seattle Seahawks, and would go on to win in week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In the week 4 34-18 loss to the Chicago Bears, Dez would have a much better outing than the previous 3 games, as he caught for 105 yards on 8 receptions and no touchdowns. This would mark the 4 straight game of the season without a touchdown, and 0 touchdowns on 21 catches for the third year wideout.
After the week 5 bye, Bryant would catch his first and second touchdowns of the season, while also setting his career high of 13 receptions in a crushing week 6 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens. With 32 seconds remaining in the game, Dez caught a touchdown pass from Quarterback Tony Romo to bring the score to 31-29. Following a failed two-point conversion, Dallas would recover a crucial onside-kick to give the offense one last opportunity to win the game. After horrible clock management by the Dallas coaching staff, kicker Dan Bailey would attempt a 51-yard field goal, but would sail wide left to end the game 31-29.
Dez only had 2 catches for 14 yards in the week 7 win against the Carolina Panthers.
Throughout September and October, he was being criticized for dropping balls, fumbles or running poor routes, but he started to live up to his potential in a week 8 game against the New York Giants. Dez accumulated 110 yards on only 5 catches (22.0 YPC average), and almost came up with a last minute hail mary touchdown (it was reversed because his hand was ruled out of bounds).
Bryant only had one catch for 15 yards against the Atlanta Falcons on the November 14, 19-13 week 9 loss in the Georgia Dome. Although his one catch performance was far from the start of a breakout season, he bounced back in the week 10 win against division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles to amass 87 yards on only 3 catches and one touchdown. This brings his weeks 9 and 10 performance to 102 yards on 4 receptions (25.5 YPC average) and one touchdown. That week 10 performance was the start of a break out season, that was worthy of Pro Bowl consideration.
In week 11 against the Cleveland Browns, Bryant had 12 catches for a then career-high 145 yards, breaking his previous personal best of 110 yards during week 8 against the New York Giants. His 12 receptions fell short of his career-high 13 catches during week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite a week 12 loss against the Washington Redskins, Bryant matched his yardage total from the previous week while adding 2 touchdowns.
In weeks 13, 14 and 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, Bryant compiled a total of 207 receiving yards on 14 receptions (14.8 YPC average), and 4 touchdown receptions. This brought his 6-week scoring total to 8 touchdowns, which helped the team win 5 out of their last 6 games.
Against the New Orleans Saints in a week 16 loss, he had the best game of his career up to that point, with nine receptions for a career-high 224 yards (fourth most in team history), two touchdowns and also tying the franchise record for most consecutive games (7) with at least a touchdown reception, which is shared with Franklin Clarke (1961–1962), Bob Hayes (1965–1966) and Terrell Owens (2007).
In the last game of the season, Bryant caught 4 balls thrown his way for 71 yards in the week 17 loss to rival and eventual division champions, the Washington Redskins. Since week 10 and the midway point of the 2012 season, Bryant accumulated 879 yards and 10 touchdowns on 50 receptions (17.6 YPC average and 5:1 touchdown ratio).
Bryant finished the 2012 season with 92 receptions for 1,382 yards (15 YPC average) and 12 touchdowns; these ranked 10th, 6th and 3rd respectively among all receivers.
He suffered from several injuries throughout the second half of the season. He injured his finger in early December, opting to play through the injury for the duration of the season, saying that opponents would "have to break my leg to keep me out." He left in the fourth quarter of the final game of the season against the Washington Redskins with a back injury. Head Coach Jason Garrett stated after the game that Dez "could barely walk," with the injury.
2013
Dez Bryant's 2013 season started slow with just 4 receptions for 22 receiving yards in a week 1 victory over the New York Giants.
Bryant rebounded with 9 receptions for 141 receiving yards and a touchdown in a Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Though Dez had such an impact in the 17–16 loss to the Chiefs, he dropped a deep pass from Tony Romo that surely would have been a game changing touchdown.
Over the course of the next two weeks, Bryant had 10 receptions for 119 yards with three touchdowns, in a 31–7 win versus the St. Louis Rams and a 30–21 loss to the San Diego Chargers.
In a Week 5 51–48 shootout with the Denver Broncos, Bryant had 6 receptions for 141 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Tony Romo would break the Dallas Cowboys single game passing yards record with 506 yards, and throw for 5 touchdowns and one interception, as opposing quarterback Peyton Manning would throw for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns and one interception, giving Manning the first of his sensational season. Although both captains had a turnover each in this game, Romo would be highly criticized for the timing of his, as it happened at his own 24 yard line as he tripped over Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith's foot with 2 minutes remaining in the game, and the score tied 48-48. Denver's sure-legged kicker, Matt Prater, would go on to kick game winning field goal as time expired. The total of 99 points between the two teams are tied for second most all-time since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Dez could not get things going in the next week, finishing with 5 catches for 36 yards in a week 6 victory over NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins.
In a week 7 blowout win against Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles, Bryant had 110 yards on 8 catches with no touchdowns.
After a heartbreaking 31–30 loss to the Detroit Lions in week 8, Bryant would finish with 3 catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns, his 3rd multi-touchdown game of the season. Prior to the game, Dez said in an interview about Lions' receiver Calvin Johnson, "I believe I can do whatever he can do. I think it's just a pride thing. When it comes to football, just being on the field, it's a mindset and having a mentality. I honestly believe when I'm there, I'll be feeling like there's nothing I can't do. Whatever the coaches ask me to do, I'm going to do it." Many people around the league took this out of context as Dez was saying he was "better" than "Megatron" is. He then replied with this statement: “I think a lot of people took it the wrong way,” Bryant said. “I don’t compare myself with anybody. I think when you get to comparing yourself with others, that’s when you start to have a downfall. “What I was saying was, I can make catches and all of that. Things he can do, I can do. I wasn’t saying it as it was just me who was able to do it. I’m pretty sure the next guy would say the same exact thing.” Johnson would go on to have a career day, breaking the single game receiving yards record with 329 yards on 14 catches and one touchdown.
Over the next 5 games against the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, and Chicago Bears, Dez compiled a total of 267 yards on 25 catches and only two touchdowns; averaging a mere 5 catches with 53.4 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per game.
In yet another heartbreaking week 15 loss to the Green Bay Packers without Aaron Rodgers, Dez finished with a season high 11 catches for 153 yards with one touchdown. Dallas would go on to lose the game by one point, 37–36, making it the third time this was done in the 2013 Season. TV cameras showed Bryant leaving the field with over a minute left in the game.
Bryant would finish the final two games of the season with 12 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns against division rivals Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Dez finished the season with 93 catches and 13 touchdowns; both career highs, and 1,233 yards. These ranked 8th in catches, 13th in yards, and 3rd in touchdowns respectively among all receivers. Bryant would go on to his first Pro Bowl in 4 seasons.
COMMUNITY:
• 2010 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
• 2012 Dallas Cowboys/Miller Fan Fest in San Antonio, Texas.
• 2012 Reliant Home Run Derby benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• 2012 Dallas Cowboys U High School Camp.
• Annual team Holiday Hospital Visits.
• Annual team Kickoff Luncheon and Dallas Cowboys Family Cookbook benefiting Happy Hill Farm.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas.
• Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.
Personal
Bryant had a troubled upbringing, born to a fourteen year old mother who was arrested for dealing crack cocaine when he was age eight. He went on to live in eight different homes while at Lufkin High School. Bryant has two sons, Zayne, 7, and Dez Jr. 4.
Bryant was sued in March 2011 for $861,350 for legal fees and the cost of jewelry he allegedly took without payment.
On July 16, 2012, Bryant was arrested on a class A misdemeanor domestic violence charge for allegedly striking his biological mother, Angela Bryant. She ultimately didn't press charges.
On April 4, 2013 Bryant signed his second major endorsement deal with the Jordan Brand. He made the announcement via his Twitter account.
In March 2013 Bryant spoke at an event for Dallas Men Against Abuse.
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