Defensive lineman Josh Brent has been activated by the Dallas Cowboys for the first time since a 2012 drunk driving episode left his teammate Jerry Brown dead and Brent behind bars for intoxication manslaughter.

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Brent spoke with ESPN Dallas about his return to the game, and was reflective about both the mistakes of his past, as well as the looming potential of his future.

Brent called the deceased Brown "a great person, a great player [who] had a bright future. A mistake that I made took that away from him, took that away from his daughter, took that away from his mother." Brent claimed his motivation for rejoining the Cowboys roster was so that he "never let his name die in vain."

"I miss Jerry. That was my best friend, and to know that he's not here because of a mistake that I made, that could have been prevented, hurts me every day."

Although Brown has rejoined the Cowboys' active roster, he is far from being in game shape. However, he has over a week to prepare, given that the team is on its bye during Week 11. The team will resume its schedule on Sunday, November 23, vs. the New York Giants.