FRISCO, Texas – Quarterback Dak Prescott is the Cowboys’ nominee for the 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
Considered one of the league’s most esteemed honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for exceptional community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. Each of the league’s 32 nominees were announced on Tuesday morning.
Persevering through adversity has become synonymous with Prescott. After a gruesome season-ending right ankle fracture and dislocation that required multiple surgeries in 2020, he returned in his sixth season as the unquestioned leader commanding the huddle: the heart and soul of the team.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be named the Dallas Cowboys’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year candidate, especially in light of all of the great things my teammates are doing in the community,” said Prescott. “I am proud of the work that my Faith Fight Finish Foundation is doing to support those facing adversity and the programming being developed to help those individuals, families and communities find strength for a better future. If I can be the catalyst for conversations to be started or someone to seek help when they are feeling alone, I see that as a great purpose.”
The man under center has taken the overwhelming life hardships he has faced and turned them into a purposeful outreach to benefit others. After losing his brother, Jace, to suicide during the COVID-19 isolation period, Prescott made it his mission to save others. He launched Ask 4 Help – an initiative to bring mental health awareness to the forefront of conversation by writing the three words on his taped wrist as a reminder. An act to spur transparent, open dialogue on inward struggles. He has collaborated with several NFL players, including Falcons’ tight end Hayden Hurst, to sponsor programs created to instruct educators to identify signs of depression and mental illness in students. Prescott has partnered with the Kevin Love Fund to encourage Social Emotional Learning programs, designed to break the stigma that places a negative connotation on mental illness discussions. Prescott has broken the barrier and vocalized his inner struggles of coping with depression to show others they are not alone in the battle.
His charitable contributions include, most notably, his Faith Fight Finish Foundation (FFF) – an organization structured to garner progress in cancer research and detection. The foundation empowers individuals to find strength amidst adversity and aids those facing life-altering challenges. The reach of FFF builds upon Prescott’s desired effort to honor his mother Peggy, who lost her battle with colon cancer in 2013. In accordance with Stand Up to Cancer, FFF established the Peggy Prescott Early Career Scientist Award in Colorectal Cancer Research. The sponsored team has worked on providing free colonoscopy screenings in minority and medically underserved communities.
In addition, Prescott has been an advocate for change in the fight for social justice and police reform. He has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect. In the aftermath of the horrific murder of George Floyd that sparked national protests, Prescott used his platform to shed light on the injustices plaguing the nation. He vowed to take action to exterminate racial-profiling and hate in communities. Prescott pledged one million dollars to police training, education and advocacy. Since then, FFF has formed the Law Enforcement Steering Committee (LESC) consisting of youth, community leaders and law enforcement to address systematic racism through education.
The winner will be announced during NFL Honors, which airs the Thursday before Super Bowl LVI on ABC. As a nominee, Prescott will sport a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the remaining games of the season in recognition of his achievements off the field. All 32 nominees will receive up to a $40,000 donation in their name to their respective charity of choice. The winner will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice. A well-deserved recognition for Dak Prescott.
