Mail Day: Dez’s Dizzying, Dirty Debut

Battered. Beaten. Fatigued. Smelly. Scarred. No, not the Dallas Cowboys, but rather a pungent, non-laundered gem of a jersey worn earlier this season by electrifying rookie Dez Bryant, one of the team’s few bright spots in a lost 2010 season.

This particular piece of memorabilia arrived at Panini America headquarters on Monday afternoon exhibiting ample wear and an air of historical significance. It’s the same jersey Bryant wore Sept. 12, 2010, against the Redskins, his first game as a member of the Cowboys. He finished that game — a 13-7 Dallas loss — with eight receptions for 56 yards.

All he’s done since then is score five total touchdowns (three on receptions, two on punt returns) and catch 21 more passes. More importantly, he’s given reeling Cowboys fans with a reason to be excited about the rest of the season.

No matter what else Bryant accomplishes this season, he’ll have only one first jersey — and this is it. You can enjoy it now in its entirety . . . and in a few months on some highly collectible Panini America football cards.