For the first time in three years Dez Bryant finally got to throw up his "X" after a touchdown score on Sunday.
On a third-and-8 late in the second quarter, Bryant caught an 11-yard TD pass from Lamar Jackson to put the Ravens ahead by 25 points over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Ravens would go on to romp to a 40-14 win.
"The special thing about me throwing up the X: The meaning is to X-out the negative," Bryant explained after the victory. "To beat the odds. To destroy adversity. That's what it means and that's why I do it."
Bryant's TD reception was his first since Dec. 10, 2017 -- 1,106 days ago. Bryant led all wide receivers in TD receptions (73) from 2010-2017.
The celebration continued with his Ravens teammates on the sideline and his emotional moment culminated with a long hug from coach John Harbaugh.
"I had to hold back the tears," Bryant said. "It was very emotional. That love is real, and I'm not joking when I say that. These guys here -- they are one hundred, they are amazing. Phenomenal people. Win, lose or draw, there's love in my heart for Baltimore forever."
Bryant's long journey toward that moment began with his surprising release from the Dallas Cowboys after the 2017 season. The nine-year veteran tore his Achilles just days after signing with the New Orleans Saints midway through the following season. The 32-year-old was out of the NFL in 2019 and signed with the Ravens' practice squad weeks into this season before getting signed to the active roster two weeks ago.
