Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is offering insight into how he motivates his teammates, even when he’s not on the field.

Ahead of the Cowboys’ December 9 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals in Charlotte, North Carolina, Prescott shared his approach to inspiring the team despite being sidelined with an injury.

At 5-7, the Cowboys are still in the playoff hunt, with a chance to make the wild-card round if they win the remainder of their games.

Prescott’s absence from the field hasn’t stopped him from playing a pivotal role in encouraging his teammates as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.

In a recent interview with Anne Erickson for Heavy Sports, Prescott explained that motivation goes beyond the game itself.

He emphasized that getting to know his teammates on a personal level is key to inspiring them. Prescott stated that it’s important to understand not just the players’ numbers but their backgrounds, families, and the things that motivate them.

He pointed out that understanding what truly inspires someone—whether it’s their kids, a personal goal, or a specific motivation—is vital to reaching them effectively.

He elaborated, “For me, it’s about knowing my teammates more than just their numbers and knowing their family. Knowing what motivates them and why they’re inspired really more than motivated. So for me, being from the sidelines, able to just spark those conversations.

Maybe say their kid’s name. Maybe, ‘Hey. Let’s go get this money.’ Whatever it is that I know motivates or inspires that guy to be better.”

Prescott believes his leadership, forged over years of building relationships with teammates, allows him to continue to have a positive influence even when he’s not actively playing.

He added, “This is when everything that I preach about the camaraderie or the culture of the brotherhood that we have or the leadership that I’ve invested long before now really comes into play with my teammates.

The fact of knowing them more than their numbers and being able to get in with them off the field to lock them in on the field.”

The Cowboys will face a tough schedule after the Bengals game, taking on the Panthers, Buccaneers, Eagles, and finally the Commanders on January 5, 2024.

Prescott’s words and actions will likely continue to be a key factor as the team fights to stay in playoff contention.

In addition to his leadership on the field, Prescott is participating in a holiday charity campaign with Dick’s Sporting Goods, where he’s joined by other Texas sports figures like Simone Biles, Chris Paul, and Quinn Ewers. The campaign is focused on supporting youth sports programs through the Sports Matter initiative.

Each of the athletes involved, including Prescott, will receive a $100,000 grant to distribute to local youth sports organizations of their choice.

As part of the campaign, Prescott helped decorate a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Denton, Texas, with festive football and Cowboys-themed decorations.

Reflecting on the experience, Prescott expressed how much fun he had with the project, saying, “Being able to give back to our youth and charity with the Sports Matter grant.

That was huge, and honestly, Dick’s, just having a lot of fun being the holiday season. Love decorating. Love getting into the holiday season.”

Among the decorations, Prescott’s favorite was a gingerbread locker room.

He said he was “blown away” when he saw it, adding, “That’s as good as my name being in the same locker room as some of these great teammates I play with, so I approve.”

With his leadership on and off the field, Prescott continues to make a significant impact on his teammates and community.