Dak Prescott wins prestigious Good Guy Award as first Cowboys player to earn national honor

FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott added another distinguished accolade to his growing resume on Thursday. 

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback was officially presented with the Professional Football Writers of America’s 2026 Good Guy Award. Per reports, Prescott becomes the first player in the Cowboys franchise history to win the national award in its 22 years of existence.

The Good Guy Award, established in 2005 with Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis as the inaugural recipient, is given annually to an NFL player who demonstrates professionalism, accessibility, and consistent cooperation with reporters.

Prescott was honored for his dealings with both local and national media throughout the 2025 season. He was a finalist for the award in 2024 and previously received the Dallas chapter’s local Good Guy Award in 2017 and 2019.

Prescott accepted the physical trophy on September 2 from Dallas chapter president Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, just days before the Cowboys’ regular-season opener. In his acceptance remarks, the quarterback expressed gratitude toward the media members who voted for him.

“This does mean a lot,” Prescott said Thursday. “I know we joked about this at times. Wouldn’t be getting this if it wasn’t for you guys and what you write and how you guys portray me. Thank you for you all being authentic. You all are good people; if you weren’t, I probably wouldn’t even talk to you or care to give you an extra statement. That just goes into the relationship that we have. 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 game so great, so thank you.”

Other finalists for the 2026 Good Guy Award included Browns guard Joel Bitonio and Bears safety Kevin Byard III. Cowboys legend Jason Witten, the future Hall of Fame tight end, came close on four separate occasions as a finalist in 2009, 2015, 2017, and 2018, but never secured the honor. Prescott’s victory now places him in exclusive company as the first Dallas player to break through.

Off-the-field awards won by Dak Prescott in his 11-Year NFL journey

Throughout his 11-year NFL career, Prescott has earned several notable off-the-field honors recognizing his character, community service, and professionalism.

The most prestigious among them is the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which Prescott received at the NFL Honors ceremony in Phoenix on February 9, 2023. The award is the league’s highest honor for off-field community service. 

Prescott became the fourth Cowboys player to win the award, joining Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach (1978) and Troy Aikman (1997), as well as former teammate Jason Witten (2012).

Prescott’s charitable work through his Faith Fight Finish Foundation, established in 2017, focuses on colon cancer research, mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and building stronger relationships between law enforcement and communities.

He lost his mother, Peggy, to colon cancer in 2013 and his brother to suicide in 2020. As the Walter Payton winner, Prescott received a $250,000 donation for the charity of his choice. He also donated $1 million to improve police training and address systemic racism following the killing of George Floyd in 2020.

In addition to the Walter Payton award, Prescott has earned four Pro Bowl selections (2016, 2018, 2023, and 2025), the 2016 Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and a Second-team All-Pro nod in 2023.

He was also a finalist for the 2025 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award after completing 404 of 600 passes for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. And as he prepares to lead the Cowboys into the 2026 season, the quarterback continues to set an example for his teammates and the league alike.