The Dallas Cowboys have seven players representing them in the 2023 Pro Bowl. Names like Zack Martin, Micah Parsons, and Trevon Diggs were expected. Tony Pollard, who is closing in on 1,000 yards, was rewarded with his first nod.

Pollard wasn't the only first-timer when it came to this particular honor. KaVontae Turpin, who ranks fourth in punt return average and seventh in kickoff return average in 2022, got the call from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Tuesday that he was a Pro Bowler.

After thinking that Jones called him to tell him that he was cut, Turpin got emotional about his first Pro Bowl nod.

"It brought me to tears," Turpin said. "It's been a long journey the way I came into the NFL, and to have that individual recognition is a dream come true."

Unfortunately for Turpin, his professional career got off to a rough start. After going undrafted in 2019, in large part to off-the-field issues, Turpin signed with the Frisco Fighters of the IFL in 2020. However, Turpin never played a game for them as the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turpin would join the FCF Glacier Boys for their inaugural season in 2021. He posted 223 yards on 13 receptions and scored four touchdowns in a six-game season.

After stints with the Sea Lions of the Spring League and the Panthers Wroclaw of the European League based in Poland, Turpin signed with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.

Turpin would treat this opportunity like it was his last to make it to the NFL, and it paid off. In 10 games, Turpin registered 44 receptions for 540 yards (led the league) and four receiving touchdowns (second in the league). Turpin also led the league with 15.3 yards per return and was named the USFL MVP for 2022.

Next up for the Louisiana native was getting his long-awaited chance in the pros. The Cowboys signed him to a three-year deal back in July, with little to no time to get prepared for the rigorous schedule of the NFL.

"It's been a long journey," Turpin said. "Coming here to the NFL in my first year and making the Pro Bowl, going with no rest, no time to get my body right, no recovery time other than leaving the USFL… It was great. A once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Once Turpin was signed, the question was whether or not could he fill the void as a returner on a full-time basis, something the Cowboys desperately needed after many failed attempts with other guys on the roster. It didn't take long for Turpin to show that he was up for the task as he ran a kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown and took a punt 86 yards for a score in the Cowboys' second preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kick return TD ☑️
Punt return TD ☑️@KaVontaeTurpin put himself on the map yesterday with this special teams display. ? pic.twitter.com/njstpKAATs

— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2022

This got Cowboys fans buzzing, as it should have. However, Turpin has yet to reach pay dirt during the season, despite a few close calls, but he feels it's coming.

"Making the Pro Bowl is great, but I [also] stay hard on myself and I … haven't gotten back into my groove," said Turpin. "But once I get back into it — get real comfortable back there — it's gonna be dangerous."

Cowboys fans are patiently waiting for Turpin to take one to the house. Until then, he should be celebrated for making the Pro Bowl in his first year in the NFL after his football future was filled with such uncertainty a few years back.

Feature image via  Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio / USA TODAY NETWORK