ARLINGTON — Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has grown close with quarterback Dak Prescott in their five seasons together. Prescott even referred to Ferguson as a younger brother during this year’s training camp.
“It means the world to me,” Ferguson said.
And not because of their on-field relationship.
Ferguson revealed after the game that he lost his step father during training camp. That’s where Ferguson’s mind went when he was asked about Prescott’s record.
“He was there for me the whole time,” Ferguson said. “Pulled out a meeting to talk to me. He really kept me together. He means a ton to me and he means a ton to this team. It’s pretty special.”
Ferguson also said Prescott, a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award Winner earlier in his career, has been a role model for him.
“The kind of man he is off the field is pretty special. How he carries himself, how he treats people, and I’m not just talking about the football player, I’m talking about the man,” Ferguson said. “The father he is. It’s unbelievable. It’s who you strive to be.”
Prescott was asked after the game about the support he gave Ferguson during training camp and the impact his teammates have had on his franchise passing touchdown record.
“They make up more than the records,” Prescott said. “This world’s about people, man. This life’s about people. It’s about loving and pouring into people and being there for somebody and giving them what you can from your own experiences and being a helping hand.
“When [Ferguson] lost his step father during camp, I knew where he was. I’ve been in that position. Just wanted to be there for him and check on him and let him know whatever you’re feeling, it’s OK. You’re mad… whatever. He handled it as good as anybody can losing a step father and being there for his mom and his family and being a rock. I just wanted to be a little help if I could. For him to even pivot from talking about a record, to that, it just goes back to me saying all these little things matter. [The record] is not what I do it for, but it’s humbling and it makes me emotional to think about small things and small gestures can mean so much.”