Dak Prescott’s upbringing has him built for greatness
Many expect Dak Prescott to take a step back this year. But he’s been molded his whole life to overcome every roadblock set before him.
In a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Dallas Cowboys‘ second year quarterback Dak Prescott explained that the other 31 teams missed out on him because it’s difficult to measure someone’s heart.
Prescott also praised all-time great quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning for their mental mastery of the game and touched a little bit on his late mother, Peggy. You can’t deny that his heart is the size of the football field, but it’s his dedication to being in the same conversation as Brady and Manning that really pushes him.
By now everyone knows Dak’s story. Everything that makes Dak who he is as a player and a person is a direct reflection of his mom, who he calls his hero. He’s very open about everything she was to him, and he explains in his Finish this Fight segment last year about her impact on how he plays like there’s no tomorrow.
"“These words: fight, finish, and faith are her final commands she left for my brothers and I. And that legacy I carry extends beyond me and to my role with my new family, the Dallas Cowboys.” – Dak Prescott via DallasCowboys.com in his #FinishthisFight episode during the 2016 season."
Those commands have translated to the game of football in such a way that no one could have predicted his immediate success in his first year. His heart tells him to fight, his competitiveness tells him to have faith in his teammates, and his aspiration to finish will not let him quit until his team is the last team standing.
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Although he oozes with passion for the game, many still predict a downfall in his young career. I’ve read and seen plenty of how a sophomore slump is expected. With the hurdles this young man has gone through, I can guarantee he pays no attention to that.
As long as he harnesses those values just mentioned, the sky is the limit as to what he can become. Being the dark horse his whole football career, he is no stranger to criticism and doubt.
Even when he wasn’t the starting quarterback, he put in the work day in and day out like he was the starter. Dating back to his sophomore year in high school, the 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year has taken over for guys at every level who went down with injuries. Each time his name was called to step up, he’s always been ready.
He went from being a three star recruit to putting Mississippi State on his back to their first #1 overall ranking. And he went from being a fourth round pick in the 2016 draft to putting the ‘Boys back into Super Bowl contention.
The natural leader in Dak thrives to silence those who have questioned his abilities. He loves the game and will stop at nothing to master it, even when he has bad games.
That desire has earned him the respect of his team. He’ll probably never admit it but the Cowboys are his team now, and rightfully so. Like former quarterback Tony Romo mentioned in his speech last year, Dak has earned the right to be the Cowboys’ quarterback.
America’s Team is now Dak’s team.
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The NFL has proved that talent alone will rarely get you far. As a quarterback, leadership is vital and if you’re not willing to be a student of the game your career will come and go. Rayne Dakota Prescott has enough heart and toughness to carry any team to the promised land, but his focus on becoming strategically great is what will set him apart.