Dak Prescott “Off The Field”
Dak Prescott, the three-time Pro Bowler for the Dallas Cowboys, has a tremendous understanding on the importance of athletes’ mental health. On September 10, 2020, Prescott sat down for an interview with Graham Bensinger in what Bensinger described as "probably the most emotional interview we had done."
Prescott has faced numerous mental hurdles throughout his life. In 2013, he lost his mother to colon cancer. The two were incredibly close, speaking every day after Prescott left for college. She was a major influence in his life. As if losing his mother wasn’t already an immense emotional burden, his brother committed suicide on April 24, 2020. Another family member Prescott was very close with had passed away.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prescott experienced “intense depression and anxiety.” He felt isolated and overwhelmed, with his brother’s death only amplifying his struggles. Prescott at the time felt scared to speak out. Six months later in his interview with Bensinger, he had a different mentality.
"I think it is important to be vulnerable, to be genuine, and to be transparent."
What makes Prescott’s mental health journey particularly significant is that many of his battles occurred off the field. However, in today’s sports culture, that distinction shouldn’t matter. Athletes are expected to perform at their best every day, regardless of what they are going through personally. Almost as if they are robots for the public’s entertainment.
Many people probably wonder why athletes feel scared to speak out, it is because of their unrealistically high expectations. They’re supposed to be immune to such things. Sports media member Skip Bayless actually criticized him for admitting to depression. Arguing that as an NFL quarterback, he should always appear strong. Imagine if you spoke out about a mental health battle and people told you to go back to work. Prescott, however, stood firm in his belief that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Beyond just speaking out, Prescott has taken action. He founded the Faith Fight Finish foundation, which helps families and communities find strength in adversity. During an NFL game, he wrote "Ask 4 Help" on his wrist, hoping to encourage viewers watching at home to seek the support they need.
" I got the help that I needed and was very open about it. I think that's why I was fortunate enough to get over it, as not all of us are."
For most people in traditional jobs, taking mental health days or time off to grieve is widely accepted. Yet, athletes are often expected to push through their struggles, no matter what. If they don’t, they risk facing criticism—not just from the media and fans, but also from sports bettors whose wagers depend on their performance.
Dak Prescott continues to break the stigma surrounding mental health in sports. His willingness to be open, vulnerable, and proactive has helped pave the way for others to seek help without shame.
My new book “So You Want To Play College Sports” highlights the mental battles college athletes face year-round. It includes interviews from current college athletes, giving first person perspective on what athletes endure. Link to buy can be found on top of the website.
Dak Prescott Instagram @_4dak