HAUGHTON — Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott would like to see kids dream a little more about what could be.
The former Haughton Buc certainly did his share of dreaming about the next level, and then the next level, during his playing days for coach Rodney Guin.
Pointing toward the multitude of kids being put through their paces on the Haughton football field Tuesday morning during the second annual Dak Prescott Football ProCamp, Prescott occasionally looked over his shoulder into the metal stands that surround the stadium.
“I was once in their shoes here and when I was in their shoes, I always believed I would be an NFL quarterback and playing for the Cowboys,” Prescott said. “I want these kids to know that if they’re that kid with that dream that there’s no such thing as dreaming too big – there’s nothing that you can’t do. If they believe in themselves, they can accomplish anything they want.”
Of course, it helps to be 6-foot-2, 235 pounds with a cannon for a right arm and the luck to play in systems in high school, college and the NFL that allow you to flourish. Not everyone is given that blessing, which is why Prescott continued.
“Life isn’t fair and it’s not for any of us to figure out why,” he said. “It’s for us to take advantage of each and every rep, each and every opportunity. It’s what I told the kids – we’re all blessed to be here today – to be around people who care – to be around people who care about helping other individuals grow. When you have that, it’s the most important thing. I’m just grateful.”
Later on Tuesday, Prescott was scheduled to be inducted into the Northwest Louisiana Walk of Stars.
Prescott also indicated he was grateful for the attitude of Dallas wide receiver Amari Cooper, who recently said he expects to collect more than 2,000 receiving yards during the upcoming season.
“I love it. It means I’m throwing the hell out of it, so I love it,” Prescott said. “I love that confidence right there. Whatever happened on his last team, to come in and play and practice the way he’s been doing – our chemistry has grown so much just in the one off-season. I don’t think his goals or the things he said or too far-fetched or out of reach.”
Prescott glanced over his shoulder again as he talked about his late mother, who spent more than her fair share of time in the Buc bleachers.
“My mom sat right up there on the 50-yard-line every game for 10-plus years watching all three boys play,” he said. “To think about her being right there in the stands watching something different on this field, I know she’d be proud.”
He said she’d also be treating him like any mother treats their son.
“She’d be on me about how to coach better, how to do better with the kids, or maybe I didn’t give enough kids high fives,” Prescott said. “So, she’d be on me more than anybody else.”
Prescott’s camp was the latest in a long string of youth football camps that have brought the stars to bear in northwest Louisiana. Tra’Davious White (Green Oaks), Morris Claiborne (Fair Park), Brandon Wilson (Calvary) and Josh Booty (Evangel) have already held or participated in camps during the past few weeks. The Walk-on’s Independence Bowl and Caddo District Attorney James Stewart (Byrd) also held free camps. Roosevelt Collins (BTW) will close out June with a camp this Saturday at Independence Stadium.
Most of the extracurricular events give the pro athletes a chance to utilize their platform.
“If I don’t give back, inspire others, tell my story, make some other kid better, then I’m not using my platform in the right way,” Prescott said. “As long as I can reach a kid a day, I’m doing my due.”
Twitter: @JimmyWatson6
