Jesse Holley Wins '4th and Long' to Nab Final Cowboys Roster Spot

Jesse Holley locked up the 80th and final roster spot on the Cowboys by winning Michael Irvin's 4th and Long competition on Monday night. Holley, a wide receiver who was also a member of the Tar Heels' 2005 national championship basketball team, beat out receiver Andrew Hawkins and defensive backs Eddie Moten and Ahmaad Smith for the coveted prize.

Now I know what you might be thinking -- there is no way he sticks with the team. But for Holley, this is still a very special opportunity and he seems extremely grateful to have it.

"This is truly, truly a blessing," Holley told the Dallas Morning News. "I have been given a wonderful opportunity to resurrect part of my life I thought was over. I am really going to take advantage of it."

It's been a strange trip for the 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver. As the story goes, Holley received a phone call from a friend at the UNC athletic department who informed him about the reality show. Aside from his four years at UNC, he had a brief stint with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, and also made a living by working for a security monitoring company and selling cellphones.

Now he's getting a shot to play for America's Team.

"Jesse Holley, the Cowboys can use you," said Irvin in the show's finale.

We'll have to see about that. As writer Barry Horn points out, Holley will be the 11th receiver in camp. Roy Williams, Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton will all make the team. That leaves a lot of hard special teams work ahead for the 25-year-old to remain a Cowboy.

In addition to Holley's strong build, he reportedly runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash and Irvin called him a very quick learner. Over his collegiate career, he totaled 1,750 yards and seven touchdowns. Former special teams coach Joe Avezzano boasted Holley is "better than some of the backups the Cowboys have right now."

Only time will tell if he really gets to prove it. But no matter what happens, Holley won't look back when he's older and say he never had a chance.