Jesse Holley Jesse Holley ( born January 8 , 1984 ) is an American football wide receiver who last played for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2007 . He played college football at North Carolina . He won the reality TV show , " 4th and Long " . Early years . Holley played high school football at Abraham Clark High School in Roselle where he is the all time leader in receptions ( 106 ) , receiving yards ( 1 , 449 ) and touchdown catches ( 27 ) . Holley would also play quarterback starting five games in the position . In his junior year , Holley caught 44 passes for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns . Holley was ranked in the top 20 receivers by most recruiting websites and magazines . In basketball , Holley averaged 20 points per game and broke the school ' s career basketball scoring record . Holley is a cousin of former Boston Globe writer and current WEEI evening drive host Michael Holley . This has been confirmed by their grandmother Katherine . College career . Holley played both basketball and football for the University of North Carolina . He was a member of the 2004 – 05 North Carolina Tar Heels men ' s basketball team that won the National Championship . Freshman season . Holley played in all 12 games and had 12 receptions for 168 yards , two touchdowns and had a tackle on special teams . before transferring to basketball which he played on the National Championship team and scored 13 points in the season Sophomore season . Holley played in all 12 games and became one of the starting receivers . He finished the season second on the team with 30 catches for 456 yards and two touchdowns . Junior season . Again starting all games Holley led the team with 47 receptions for 670 yards and scored one touchdown . He was ranked fifth in the league in receiving yards per game and sixth in receptions . Senior season . Holley had 37 receptions for 466 yards and scored two touchdowns . Professional career . Cincinnati Bengals . Holley was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals . After being cut following training camp , he was signed to Bengals practice squad on September 7 , 2007 . On October 5 , he was released when Marcus Maxwell was signed . BC Lions . After safety Barron Miles sent tapes to the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League ; Holley signed with the team on May 22 , 2008 , and released June 15 , following the team ' s first pre - season game . Dallas Cowboys . Holley was the winner of Michael Irvin ' s football reality show " 4th and Long " ; he received an invitation to attend the Dallas Cowboys training camp . Before being on " 4th and Long " , he was working as a security guard , as well as selling cell phones in North Carolina . He was signed to the team on July 21 , 2009 . Holley played in his first game for the NFL on August 13 , 2009 in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders . Holley recorded no catches , blocks or tackles . Holley caught his first pass on August 21 , 2009 in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans . On September 4 , Holley returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings . The Cowboys released Holley on September 5 as a final cut . He cleared waivers and signed to the Cowboys ' practice squad on September 6 , 2009 . Holley re - signed a future contract with the Cowboys on January 22 , 2010 , after his contract expired at season ' s end . During the 2010 preseason , many figured Holley to make the team past Sam Hurd . On September 4 , 2010 , he was again waived at the final cuts . He was signed to the team ' s practice squad the day after . He was promoted to the active roster on October 15 , 2010 . During that season he was active for 14 games and was the third - leading tackler on special teams . In the August 27 , 2011 preseason game , against the Minnesota Vikings , Holley recorded three catches for 51 yards . At the conclusion of the 2011 preseason , Holley made the 53 - man roster , and was expected to be fifth receiver on the depth chart . On September 18 , 2011 , during the second game of the 2011 season against the San Francisco 49ers , Holley recorded his first NFL reception for 11 yards . He made two catches during the Cowboys ' final drive in regulation , leading to overtime . In overtime , after a three - and - out by the 49ers offense , Holley made a 77 - yard reception during Dallas ' first offensive play , taking the ball to the 1 yard line and setting up the game winning 19 - yard field goal by Dan Bailey . For the 2011 season ( and career ) he made a total of 7 receptions for 169 yards for an average of 24 . 1 ypc . New England Patriots . Holley was signed by the New England Patriots on June 11th , 2012 . He was released on August 31st , 2012 .