Dallas Cowboys quarterback has been an inspirational figure on and off the field this season. Victory against Washington tonight would be big step in securing play-off berth
Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee
On Tuesday the Cowboys named Prescott as the team’s 2021 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which recognises players who exhibit excellence on and off the field. In April last year, Prescott’s brother, Jace, killed himself and then his 2020 season was cut short with a potentially career-threatening ankle injury. He has returned this year to lead the 8-4 Cowboys to the top of the NFC East all the while working with his Faith, Fight, Finish foundation, which focuses on three main initiatives: cancer research, mental health, and suicide prevention, as well as bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Shouldering the burden
As played out in the NFL series Hard Knocks, Prescott was diagnosed with a strained right shoulder during training camp at the end of July, raising fears he may not be fit for the start of this season. But on opening night against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers he threw for 403 yards and three touchdowns.
It’s all in the legs
Asked what workout exercises he focuses on, Prescott has said: “I’ll do a lot of work on my legs, I’ll do a lot of jumps and a lot of quick movements, explosive things. I enjoy doing squats, but I always feel that anytime I’m jumping, I’m getting my legs going. I have a big stride so it’s about stretching my legs and hips and getting on the field.”
Pasta, please
Asked by USA Today about his pre-match meal, he said: “Just my whole life, we’ve always eaten spaghetti or something before the games in college and now in the pros, so I guess it’d be spaghetti with a little ranch [dressing] on it. And some chicken.”
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Ankle agony
In week five of the 2020 season, as he and Logan Ryan of the New York Giants fell to the ground, Prescott’s right ankle got caught under Ryan and it turned in the wrong direction, fracturing and dislocating it. He required two operations. “I’ve watched that play a couple of times, and when it comes up, I can say I watch the beginning of it but not the end of the run,” Prescott told ESPN. “It’s really not something I care to see and know that I’ve done a lot to get past it.”
Factfile
Age 28
Height 6ft 2in
Weight 16st 4lb
College Mississippi State
2016 Draft Round 4, 135 overall
Team Dallas Cowboys
