The 'Dez Rules': Read the official documents that reined in Cowboys WR Bryant's behavior

Editor's note: This story was originally published Aug. 22, 2016. Since then, Dez Bryant and state Sen. Royce West have settled their lawsuit.

Buried in the legal battle between Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant and state Sen. Royce West are documents that illustrate what The Dallas Morning News first reported in August 2012: a strict set of guidelines that became known as the "Dez Rules."

For whatever reason, some have speculated over the last four years about the validity of the "Dez Rules," as if they weren't real and were never in play. Even Bryant at times scoffed at the notion that he had to follow guidelines that were designed to keep him out of trouble off the field.

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But on Aug. 27, 2012, a story by SportsDay's Brandon George detailed the "Dez Rules."

The back-and-forth lawsuits between West and Bryant have dusted off the rules once again, outlining what Bryant had to go through a month after he was arrested in DeSoto on a Class A misdemeanor family violence charge for allegedly assaulting his mother, Angela. The case was eventually dropped, following Bryant's mother's wish, with the Dallas County district attorney's office deciding not to pursue charges.

The "Dez Rules" were enforced by David Wells, who has long worked for the Cowboys on a contract basis. Bryant lived with Wells early in his career in DeSoto but distanced himself from the former bail bondsman a year ago after signing with Roc Nation.

The documents don't refer to the guidelines as the "Dez Rules." Rather, the first of the four pages is titled, "Security detail and consultant agreement."

The document states that the following recommendations between Bryant and Wells were "discussed with the Dallas County DA's Office."

The "Dez Rules" required Bryant to adhere to a midnight curfew, refrain from attending any clubs, strip clubs or parties and requested that he not drink alcohol. He was also required to attend two counseling sessions per week for one year and was monitored by a three-person security team that drove him to and from practices and team functions.

Security cameras were also placed inside Bryant's home to monitor coming and goings. The agreement also stated that Wells "must be aware of ALL visits to and/or from Ilyne Nash [Bryant's long-time girlfriend] and Angela Bryant." Bryant was to make Wells aware of his whereabouts at all times.

Part II of the document details that Bryant had to make monthly payments of $16,986.66 to Wells through a "payroll deduction" to cover the security detail.

The agreement was for three years, though it didn't last that long. Bryant eventually tired of the restraints, and they were relaxed in following years before fading away.

Bryant and Wells signed the document outlying the "Dez Rules" on Aug. 24, 2012, with a copy of the signed agreement being sent to the Cowboys.

Only in the last week have the "Dez Rules" popped back up because of Bryant's countersuit of West, who represented Bryant during the time he was dealing with the misdemeanor family violence charge. West sued Bryant in June over $60,000 in alleged damage to his 6,400-square-foot DeSoto home that Bryant had rented from the state senator. West claimed that the home was left "littered with trash and feces," among other problems.

Bryant countersued in July, accusing West of using the receiver's celebrity status to attract endorsement deals to "line his own pockets."

Note: The Dallas Morning News redacted portions of the legal documents to keep individuals' addresses and forms of contact private.