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With Gruesome Injury Behind Him, Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Is Ready To Return To Success On And Off The Field
A lot has changed in the world since Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a gruesome compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle during a nationally televised game against the New York Giants last Oct.
11, ending his 2020 season as he was going into unrestricted free agency in search of a massive new contract.
Nearly seven months later, the 27-year-old has made significant progress in rehabbing his ankle and leg, signed a four-year, $160 million contract to return to the Cowboys— which reportedly included $126 million guaranteed and a $66 million signing bonus— and Tuesday announced an investment in four Walk-On’s casual dining restaurants in the Dallas and Waco areas.
“I’m close to being exactly where I wanna be,” Prescott said Monday over Zoom regarding his injury recovery. “I could go play in a game right now and be very successful.”
His focus, especially after his injury, was to get better and control the things he was able to control. At that time, much to Prescott’s chagrin, he couldn’t control how the Cowboys performed on the field.
Dallas finished 6-10 on the season, but thanks to a historically poor NFC East nearly made the playoffs. And after reportedly passing up extension offers from the Cowboys in the past and having the franchise tag placed on him in 2020, he relied on his agent and support system to make sure he was being taken care of in all facets of life.
“I don’t say I was gambling on myself, I say I was just invested in myself,” Prescott said. “I put a lot into the game of football, and I’ve got a lot left to do as well.”
Though he admitted he thought of the “what if” about possibly ending up on another team in free agency, Prescott said he was never really concerned about that.
“I never had any doubt in the Cowboys, never had a doubt in my team in getting something done that was right for both of us,” he said.
A Louisiana native, Prescott said he grew up always wanting to be a Dallas Cowboy and had that opportunity after being taken in the 4th round of the 2016 draft out of Mississippi State.
After starter Tony Romo suffered a long-term injury in preseason, Dak took over the job as a rookie and never looked back, earning offensive rookie of the year and one of his two Pro Bowl selections.
Being the quarterback of the most valuable sports franchise in the world, at $5.5 billion per Forbes’ 2020 valuations, unquestionably comes with an immense amount of pressure. But as he said numerous times during this interview, pressure is privilege.
Prescott knows others have high expectations for him, just as he has high expectations for himself. He prides himself on not taking days off and knowing that he has a strong support system for when he falters or has a bad day or week.
When he needs to get away from the spotlight, he spends most of his downtime with friends and family, getting competitive in games like dominoes and spades and playing some NCAA Football 14 on PlayStation 3.
