Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has come a long way from little known Sulphur, LA to his first season under center for America’s Team.
Oct 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks back to the locker room after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing much goes on in Sulphur, Louisiana. The following is a Cliff’s notes version of it: Sulphur is a suburb of Lake Charles, Louisiana; which lies to its Southeast. Sulphur was named after its sulfur mines that were operated in the area in the 1900’s.
Notable people include former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and CBS radio analyst Matt Stevens, actress Janice Lynde, and former Houston Astros pitcher Casey Daigle. It has a Raisin’ Canes chicken fingers restaurant and a Walgreens. That’s it. This is the sleepy suburb where the ever-promising Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was born.
This week, the first-year passer will be on the cover of Sports Illustrated becoming the 7th Cowboy quarterback to ever do so. It took humble beginnings to go from a small suburb of Sulphur, LA to Mississippi State.
This week's cover story: @Dak Prescott has been a perfect fit for a franchise in transition (by @SIPeteThamel) https://t.co/61TInhLZXJ pic.twitter.com/HSpeUdTzKx
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 11, 2016
And then to be drafted by America’s Team. Prescott always had a no nonsense approach to things. However, he has always had patience to wait knowing that he would get his opportunity to show what he’s made of.
Perhaps he was foreshadowing a glimpse into the future when was at Mississippi State in 2012. That year Prescott began as the back up to then starting quarterback Tyler Russell. Dak began as the backup to Russell again the next season, but took over as starting quarterback when Russell suffered a concussion.
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
After taking over the starting quarterback position because of injury, Prescott never lost it again. During his next two years at Mississippi State he earned numerous accolades and owning nearly every passing record in Mississippi State school history. This list is long but here the note worthy South Eastern Conference accomplishments: (Source) (Official Miss. State Bio)
Two records from that list stick out to me that I’ll mention later: Most consecutive pass attempts without an interception (288) and lowest career interception percentage (1.881%)
Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s fast forward to this years draft, Prescott was the eighth (yes, eighth) quarterback taken in draft. You think St. Louis or Denver isn’t regretting this now? Scouts were cautious about taking Dak because he came from a spread offense. And they were even more hesitant when Prescott received a DUI in March of this year.
However, the cards fell were they did and Dallas took Rayne Dakota “Dak” Prescott late in the 4th round (135th overall). Guess what he did as soon as training camp started? He waited. Patiently. He would learn the playbook and take a serious approach to the game. Then, wait. Confident that his chance would come.
That chance came on August 2nd when Cowboys back-up quarterback Kellen Moore suffered a broken fibula just one week into training camp. Prescott went from the third string (practice squad) quarterback to competing for the position right behind Cowboys starter Tony Romo.
He (Prescott) knew that he was about to get more time to show what he’d learned. He improved his play during each game of the preseason and then his chance came again in the third preseason game when starter Tony Romo suffered a vertebrae contusion, forcing him out for 8-9 weeks.
Prescott had seen this before. Deja vu, because of injury he stepped into the starting quarterback position for his football team. This time it was on the big stage and for the marquee team in all of sports.
So far, in starting his first five games as a professional, Prescott is 4-1 and hasn’t thrown a single interception. This again, is nothing new for Dak as he set the SEC record for lowest career interception rate (1.881%).
History has a way of repeating itself for this fast rising rookie. If it does, Tony Romo will not get his job back again and Prescott will set new franchise and NFL records. Either way, the future is bright for the young 23-year old and for the Dallas Cowboys.
This article is dedicated to the loving memory of Daisy Robles. Daisy, may you watch over and protect us with angels always in your company. We will forever love and miss you. You will be eternally in our hearts. Save a seat for us.
More from The Landry Hat
This article originally appeared on 
