Given his extensive trophy collection, he has always been considered an honour for the Dallas Cowboys. Under the spotlight, he also won the greatest honour bestowed by the NFL.
Can you guess the person I’m referring to? Yes, Prescott got the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2022. Phoenix’s Symphony Hall hosted the event. It was in Arizona, just one day before the Super Bowl.
Are you curious about Dak Prescott? Let’s first discuss the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award:
Performance on the field isn’t the only factor in earning this award. It also involves being a decent person off the field. Every year, the NFL awards it to a player who shines at football and spends a lot of time helping others and getting involved in welfare.
The NFL Man of the Year Award was the previous name for the honour. However, the name was altered in 1999 in honour of Walter Payton. In case you are unaware, Payton was a legendary Chicago Bears player. He was well-known for being an all-around wonderful man who loved to serve people when he received the award in 1977.
One interesting feature about this honour is that the trophy has the appearance of a football player sitting on the sidelines. It’s not designed to resemble a particular player. Instread, it represents all the players who, even from the background, put in a lot of effort to change the game.
How Is the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Selected?
Well, it’s quite interesting. Only one player is selected from 32 NFL teams. This player is chosen by a panel of judges that includes the NFL Commissioner & retired players.
The fortunate player of the prestigious Walter Payton Award can contribute $250,000 to a charity of their choice. Each of the other 31 nominees will receive a $50,000 donation to their preferred charity.
Let’s now discuss our man Dak and why he was given this prize.
Who Is Dak Prescott?
Dak, also known as Rayne Dakota Prescott, has had an incredible journey driven by his intense love of football. Dak was born on July 29, 1993 in Sulphur, Louisiana. His parent Nathaniel and Peggy Prescott had three children and Dak was the youngest among them.
His mother Peggy, who operated a truck stop to provide for her family, created a model of hard work and perseverance for him during his early years. Dak developed a strong work ethic and tenacity due to this atmosphere.
Success in the Early Years and High School
Dak developed an early affinity for football. He went to Haughton High School, Louisiana, and made a name for himself as an exceptional football player for the Buccaneers there. Dak’s performance was just plain amazing for senior. With 2,860 yards and 39 touchdowns, he completed 159 of 258 throws. Dak demonstrated his athleticism in addition to his passing skills by rushing for 951 yards on 90 attempts and 17 touchdowns. Haughton’s accomplishments helped him win the 2010 District 1-AAAA Championship, enhancing his standing as a gifted quarterback.
College Career at Mississippi State
Despite receiving numerous college offers, three-star recruit Dak decided to accept a scholarship offer from Mississippi State. His football career was shap by this choice. Dak kept refining his abilities and leadership traits at Mississippi State. As the starting quarterback, he broke multiple school records and won multiple awards while leading the Bulldogs to noteworthy victories.
Transition to the NFL
NFL scouts took note of Dak because of his excellent collegiate play. He was select by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Dak prove he was a valuable member of the squad despite being select later in the draft.
He started as the starting quarterback in his debut season. His contributed to the Cowboys’ 13 victory over 3 loss total. He was name the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as a result. Fans liked Dak and thought he was a strong leader since he played well and remained composed.
Earning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award
Dak Prescott is not only a great player but has also served off the field. He founded the Faith Fight Finish Foundation, which supports people in overcoming major obstacles like depression and cancer. He earned this honour for his extensive humanitarian work and support for numerous people, showcasing his commitment to making a positive impact beyond football.
Not only is he an excellent football player, he makes an effort to improve the world by being kind to people and doing good deeds.