BALTIMORE -- Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant was able to officially throw up the X for the first time in 1,106 days.
Bryant caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson in the second quarter Sunday, marking the first time he had reached the end zone since Dec. 10, 2017. He immediately celebrated with his signature X, crossing both arms in front of him.
"The meaning is to X out the negative, to truly never give up and beat the odds and destroy adversity," Bryant said. "That's what it means. That's why I do it. Me throwing up the X and the world seeing it, it makes me feel good."
Bryant's touchdown increased Baltimore's lead to 26-0 over the Jacksonville Jaguars and was his only reception in the game. Baltimore went on to win 40-14.
Wearing a gold chain with the letter X hanging around his neck, Bryant held up the football that he caught in the end zone and said he's going to give it to his 5-year-old daughter, who inspired him to come back and play. She frequently asked him on Sundays in the fall: "Why are you not playing football?"
"After I realized I scored, the first person I thought of was my baby girl," Bryant said. "I had no intentions for playing ball. If it wasn't for her, I don't think I'd be out here."
This marked Bryant's first game since he tested positive for COVID-19 a half hour before his much-anticipated meeting against the Cowboys.
Bryant, 32, became just the second Pro Bowl wide receiver to return to the NFL after missing two full seasons (Josh Gordon was the other, when he returned to the Browns in 2017). He began on the Ravens' practice squad before being signed to the active roster Nov. 28.
This was his fifth and most memorable catch in his fourth game with Baltimore. On third-and-8 late in the second quarter, Bryant adjusted his route for a scrambling Jackson and dove to his right to make the grab.
After seeing the catch, Jackson threw up the X in Bryant's direction.
"We wanted to do that against Dallas, me and Marquise [Brown] were talking about that, and it just happened today," Jackson said. "I'm happy he was the one throwing it up before we did. Like you said, three years, that's incredible he came back, got open on a broken-down play and he did the rest. Hat's off to him."
Bryant said seeing his teammates celebrate his touchdown meant a lot to him
"I'm being honest, I had to hold back my tears," Bryant said. "It was very emotional. That love is real."
After scoring, Bryant kept the football as he received high-fives on the sideline. He then got a hug from Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
"It was just one of those moments that you could feel it," Harbaugh said. "We have a lot of conversations leading up to that. I feel like it's been a while coming. He's worked hard. He sure earned it."