How Dak Prescott Overcame Adversity and Became a Star
Dak Prescott is one of the most inspiring and successful athletes in the world today. He is the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most popular and prestigious teams in the National Football League (NFL). He has earned numerous accolades and awards, such as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Pro Bowl, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. He has also broken several records, such as the most passing yards and touchdowns in a single game by a Cowboys quarterback.
But Dak Prescott’s journey to stardom was not easy. He faced many challenges and hardships along the way, both on and off the field. He had to overcome doubts, injuries, losses, and tragedies. He had to work hard, persevere, and believe in himself. He had to prove himself to his critics and his supporters. He had to lead his team and his community. He had to honor his family and his faith.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the most remarkable and motivational facts about Dak Prescott’s life and career. We will learn how he overcame adversity and became a star.
He was born and raised in Louisiana by a single mother.
Dak Prescott was born on July 29, 1993, in Sulphur, Louisiana. He was the youngest of three boys in the family. He also had an older sister and an older half-brother. His mother, Peggy Prescott, was a single parent who worked as a truck driver to support her children. She was also a huge fan of football and taught her sons to love the game. She had a football tattooed on her arm, with the number three written inside it, symbolizing her three sons.
1.Dak Prescott was very close to his mother and shared a bedroom with her until he was in middle school. He also visited his grandparents frequently, who lived nearby. His grandfather was a school principal and his grandmother was a teacher. They instilled in him the values of education, discipline, and respect.
2.Dak Prescott attended Haughton High School, where he excelled in both academics and athletics. He was a star quarterback for the football team and led them to a district championship in 2010. He also played basketball and baseball and was a member of the National Honor Society. He graduated with a 3.4 GPA and received several scholarship offers from colleges.
3.He lost his mother to cancer in his sophomore year of college.
Dak Prescott chose to attend Mississippi State University, where he continued to play football for the Bulldogs. He redshirted his freshman year and became the backup quarterback in his sophomore year. He showed great potential and talent, but also faced a devastating loss. His mother, who had been diagnosed with colon cancer, passed away on November 3, 2013, at the age of 52.
4.Dak Prescott was heartbroken and devastated by his mother’s death. He considered quitting football and returning home to be with his family. But he also remembered his mother’s words of encouragement and her faith in him. He decided to honor her memory and her legacy by continuing to pursue his dreams. He dedicated his career to her and wore a wristband with her initials and the words “Fight, Finish, Faith” on it.
Dak Prescott returned to the field and led his team to a historic season. He broke several school records and became the first player in SEC history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 500 yards in a single season. He also led the Bulldogs to their first-ever No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll and a 10-3 record. He finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-SEC selection.
He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Dak Prescott decided to return to Mississippi State for his senior year, despite being projected as a high draft pick. He wanted to finish his degree and improve his skills. He had another stellar season, breaking more records and earning more honors. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology and a master’s degree in workforce leadership.
Dak Prescott entered the 2016 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round, with the 135th overall pick. He was the eighth quarterback taken in the draft and the third by the Cowboys. He was expected to be the third-string quarterback behind Tony Romo and Kellen Moore. However, fate had other plans. Romo suffered a back injury in the preseason and Moore broke his ankle in training camp. Dak Prescott was suddenly thrust into the starting role as a rookie.
Dak Prescott seized the opportunity and proved himself to be a natural leader and a phenomenal player. He led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, the best in the NFC and tied for the best in the NFL. He threw for 3,667 yards and 23 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. He set NFL rookie records for passer rating, completion percentage, and wins. He also rushed for 282 yards and six touchdowns. He earned the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, the Pro Bowl selection, and the NFL.com Rookie of the Year award. He also finished third in the NFL MVP voting and sixth in the Offensive Player of the Year voting.
He suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the 2020 season.
Dak Prescott continued to impress and improve in his second and third seasons with the Cowboys. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in each season and made his second Pro Bowl appearance in 2018. He also led the Cowboys to two NFC East division titles and one playoff win. He became one of the most popular and respected players in the league and earned a lucrative contract extension from the Cowboys in 2019.
Dak Prescott entered the 2020 season with high expectations and aspirations. He started the season on a record-breaking pace, throwing for over 400 yards in three consecutive games and becoming the first player in NFL history to pass for over 450 yards in three games in a season. He also threw for nine touchdowns and ran for three more. He was on track to shatter the single-season passing yards record and lead the Cowboys to the playoffs.
However, tragedy struck in the fifth game of the season, against the New York Giants. Dak Prescott suffered a horrific ankle injury while being tackled in the third quarter. He was carted off the field in tears, with his teammates and opponents showing their support and sympathy. He underwent surgery that night and was ruled out for the rest of the season. He faced a long and uncertain recovery process.
He signed a four-year, $160 million contract with the Cowboys in 2021.
Dak Prescott did not let his injury deter him from his goals. He worked hard and diligently to rehabilitate his ankle and regain his strength and mobility. He also remained positive and optimistic about his future and his return to the field. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the fans, the team, and the organization that stood by him and supported him through his ordeal.
Dak Prescott also received a huge vote of confidence and a reward for his perseverance and performance from the Cowboys. On March 8, 2021, he signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Cowboys, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. The deal included a $66 million signing bonus, a $95 million guaranteed money, and a no-trade clause. It also gave him the opportunity to become a free agent again in 2025, when he will be 31 years old.
Dak Prescott expressed his happiness and excitement about the deal and his commitment to the Cowboys. He said, “I’m very, very excited for this opportunity, for this blessing, for this partnership. I grew up wanting to be a Dallas Cowboy and I am a Dallas Cowboy. It’s a privilege and a dream come true. I’m excited for the future and what we’re going to accomplish here.”
He is a leader and a role model on and off the field.
Dak Prescott is not only a star on the field, but also a leader and a role model off the field. He is known for his work ethic, his humility, his generosity, and his character. He is a team captain and a vocal leader who motivates and inspires his teammates. He is also a fan favorite and a community hero who gives back and supports various causes and charities.
Dak Prescott has a charitable foundation called “Dak Prescott’s Faith Fight Finish Foundation”, which he established in honor of his mother. The foundation aims to provide support and resources to families and individuals facing adversity, such as cancer, poverty, mental health, and domestic violence. The foundation also awards scholarships to high school students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
Dak Prescott is also involved in other philanthropic endeavors, such as the Salvation Army, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, and the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative. He has donated money, time, and goods to various organizations and individuals in need. He has also spoken out and raised awareness about important issues, such as social justice, racial equality, and mental health.
Dak Prescott is a remarkable and inspirational person who has overcome adversity and achieved success. He is a testament to the power of faith, fight, and finish. He is a star who shines bright on and off the field.