Dak Prescott wants people to know they are not alone in the world.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has never shied away from acknowledging the ongoing mental health crisis. Prescott kicked off May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, by visiting a local high school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to discuss suicide prevention, mental health and more.
Prescott tragically lost his brother Jace to suicide in April 2020.
The quarterback has become a mental health advocate in the years since, visiting Aledo High School to speak about the importance of this month.
“This isn’t a one day thing,” Prescott said. “This is every day of giving people hope, spreading love and so this is just the beginning of it.”
Prescott was seen posing for pictures with the students, holding a signs that read “Ask 4 Help” and “You’re stronger than you think you are.”
“Ask 4 Help” is a common slogan for Prescott, who typically writes it on his wrist tape for game days and also launched a campaign in recognition of suicide prevention month.
Prescott later appeared alongside Brad Hunstable, who also lost his 12-year-old son, Hayden, to suicide in April 2020. Hunstable’s son would’ve been attending Aledo High School, Prescott noted.
The duo, honoring Jace and Hayden, spoke to the crowd that assembled.
“Sharing love, sharing hope and just starting the day off,” Prescott said. “But as I told some of you, I’m just starting the day, but it’s up to you to continue this. This is a national day of hope that we’re beginning in honor of those two. But yet, it’s affecting each and every one of us. As Brad just said, right, everyone matters. Everyone is special. Your life is special. Even if you don’t think it’s special to you, it’s special to people. It’s special to your friends, it’s special to your brothers, you sisters, your parents. So in those hard times, like he said, ask for help.”
Prescott won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2022, given to the player that displays excellence on and off the field. According to the NFL, they are leaders in their community and committed to giving back.
The Cowboys quarterback is also the founder of the Faith Fight Finish Foundation, which was established as a tribute to Prescott’s mother, Peggy, who lost her battle to colon cancer in 2013, while the foundation’s work is an effort to honor his brother.
They focus on what they call “The 4 Pillars” that are colon cancer research, mental health and suicide prevention, bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and offering assistance to those facing life-threatening hardships.