Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin gave what was described as a “really powerful speech” to the Dallas Cowboys, and he also spent some one-on-one time with rookie receiver Dez Bryant, discussing the importance of the No. 88 Cowboys jersey that Bryant will wear.
Although Irvin wore 88 himself, he says what he stressed to Bryant is living up to the standards set by a receiver who wore 88 in Dallas before Irvin.
“The responsibility of wearing Drew Pearson’s number,” Irvin said he told Bryant. “A lot of people have worn that Cowboys helmet before him and the honor it is to wear a Cowboys uniform. He plays for everybody that has played before him and for everybody that is going to play after him.”
Pearson wore 88 for the Cowboys from 1973 to 1983 and was a three-time All-Pro, a team captain and the man who caught the Hail Mary pass from Roger Staubach in the 1975 playoffs. Irvin wore 88 for the Cowboys from 1988 to 1999.
Irvin said he loves the way Bryant looks in the jersey.
“I don’t know if I have seen anybody that has the body control and the natural ability to receive a football like Dez Bryant in a Cowboys uniform in a long time,” Irvin said.
