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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott found himself in a familiar position this week: navigating the turbulent waters created by team owner Jerry Jones. Following a controversial quote from Jones that sparked outrage among a frustrated fanbase, Prescott addressed the comments with a balanced approach, acknowledging the fans’ right to be upset while simultaneously defending his owner’s character and business acumen. Dak Prescott On Jerry Jones: A Comment Heard ‘Round the Fanbase The controversy began with a quote from Jones in a Wall Street Journal article. With the Cowboys sitting at a disappointing 3-4-1 and their defense ranked near the bottom of the league, the NFL trade deadline was seen as a crucial opportunity to improve the roster. However, Jones was quoted discussing a natural gas venture, saying, “There’s $100 billion present value with gas out there. That’s why I’m talking to you on the telephone rather than trying to fix our defense with the Dallas Cowboys.” The comment landed like a lead balloon with Cowboys fans, many of whom felt it showed a lack of focus on the team’s immediate problems. The sentiment quickly spread across social media, with many interpreting the statement as a sign that the team’s on-field struggles were not the owner’s top priority. Prescott’s Diplomatic Response When asked about the fan reaction, Prescott didn’t shy away from the issue. He validated the feelings of the supporters, showing an understanding of their perspective. “Being a fan and you just hear that or read that, yeah, of course,” Prescott said. “Especially, right, as many fans are and do — thankful that they do — live and breathe by this team… So yeah, that can definitely be frustrating.” However, after validating the fans’ frustration, Prescott pivoted to defend Jones. He framed the comment in the larger context of Jones’s identity as a businessman and suggested the quote might have been taken out of context. “The guy has never really lied about who he is or what he’s trying to do,” Prescott explained. “Maybe in those five minutes is what he was alluding to, and having a chance at a $100 billion opportunity I think you might take five minutes as well to answer a call. So, hopefully that’s what he means, right?” By offering this perspective, Prescott managed to play the role of both empathetic teammate to the fans and loyal leader in defense of his owner. He concluded by steering the focus back to what the players can control, stating, “For us as players, we can control what we can control. That doesn’t pertain to us right now.” His response was a masterclass in leadership, acknowledging the external noise without letting it become a locker room distraction during a pivotal point in the Cowboys’ season.
