FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott was handed the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2026 Good Guy Award on Thursday, before he took questions at The Star. A PFWA representative presented the trophy and cited the Dallas Cowboys quarterback’s willingness to work with reporters on and off the record.
Prescott said he gives extra statements and off-the-record context because of who the writers are, not because the job requires it.
“This does mean a lot,” Prescott said. “I know we’ve kind of joked about this at times and obviously getting the local one, but honestly, wouldn’t be getting this, wouldn’t even be acknowledged if it wasn’t for you guys and what you write, how you guys portray me. So I just thank you for y’all being authentic. Y’all are good people, and if you weren’t, I wouldn’t even talk to you or care to give you an extra statement or anything off the record.”
“But I think that just goes into the relationship that we have,” Prescott continued, “and hopefully I’m an example for the other guys in the locker room and they make your job easier to give the fans our stories and what they want that makes this great game so great.”
Dak Prescott Is The First Cowboy To Win The Good Guy Award
The PFWA announced Prescott as the winner on May 27. He is the 22nd recipient and the first Cowboys player to take it since the award began in 2005. Browns guard Joel Bitonio and Bears safety Kevin Byard III were the other finalists.
Prescott was also a finalist in 2024, when Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud won.
Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas PFWA chapter vice president and a former PFWA president, said in the announcement that Prescott talks once a week during the season and after every game, and makes himself available for off-the-record conversations.
Prescott won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2022.
Dak Prescott’s 2025 Season
Prescott completed 404 of 600 passes for 4,552 yards with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season. His 404 completions led the NFL. The 600 attempts were a career high.
Dallas finished 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs for a second straight year. The Cowboys ranked seventh in scoring offense and second in total offense in Brian Schottenheimer‘s first season as head coach.
Prescott enters his 11th season. The Cowboys open Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
