Dak Prescott wins 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year

The Dallas Cowboys now feature the 4th franchise winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which was given last night to quarterback Dak Prescott. The award recognizes an NFL player for his outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field, and is named for the late running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton.

Previous Cowboys players to have won the award include Jason Witten, Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.

During his acceptance speech, he was sure to thank his late mother, who passed away in 2013 while he was playing at Mississippi State.

"My mother was, and still is, my moral compass," Prescott said while accepting the award Thursday night. "Through my own charitable contributions, I seek to share her strength and courage with the world."

"My mother told me when she was diagnosed with cancer that, 'All greats have a story. Allow me to be your story.' She is my 'why.' And with these words, just as she does and always did, my mother inspired me and motivated me to be great beyond the circumstances. And it was in her honor I that started my foundation in 2017 and named it Faith, Fight, Finish, the three words she left me and my brothers."

And needless to say, Prescott was humbled.

"That's easy — it's number one," Prescott told reporters later Thursday. "When your mom gets diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, she's given months to live, she's giving you that news, and she tells you, 'Hey, all greats have a story. Allow me to be your story.'

"That's what this award means to me."

Congrats to Dak!