DALLAS, Texas — Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach sees some of the same leadership qualities and penchant for comebacks in current quarterback Dak Prescott that he had in his storied career.
Staubach took time at the Children's Cancer Fund 2019 model photo shoot to answer questions about the moxie and flair for the comeback that Prescott has displayed in the 2018 season.
"This team believes in Dak Prescott," Staubach said in an exclusive to WFAA.com. "And, so, that was important to me, and I see how important it is to Dak because he's their leader. He's a winner. He makes big plays when you have to make big plays."
Prescott's big game heroics were on full display in the Cowboys' 24-22 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 5 in the wild-card playoffs. The third-year field general from Mississippi State completed 22 passes on 33 attempts for 226 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
The enduring image of Prescott's never-say-die attitude spirit was a draw on third-and-14 from the Seattle 17-yard line with the quarterback flipping head over heels over safety Tedric Thompson to score a touchdown. Prescott was a yard short, but the effort was part of the rehabilitation of Prescott's image from a hesitant signal caller in the middle of the season to a confident gunslinger in the playoffs.
"I was very confident and I felt like I could win but you have to transfer that confidence to your teammates," said Staubach, who led Dallas to two Super Bowl victories in 1971 and 1977. "And I think Dak really does that. I think I was able to do that, that they believed in me.
"If they don't believe in you as a quarterback, you're in trouble.
Troy Aikman, who called the wild-card game against Seattle, also sees some of the same traits in Prescott.
Said Aikman: "I think that he has shown an ability to win games late, much like [Staubach]. And that's a quality not everybody has, and he's shown to have that even in games where he has shown not to have played his best. I think that's the greatest quality as it inspires teammates. It lets him know that no matter what, no matter what's happened in the game, they can come back and win."
The Cowboys take to the road in the divisional playoffs with a showdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the L.A. Coliseum Saturday. As a team that went 3-5 on the road this season, Prescott will have to instill that confidence in his teammates that they can get their fourth victory as the away team as they go toe to toe with Pro Bowl quarterback Jared Goff and All-Pro running back Todd Gurley.
"At the end of the day it's a matter of your leadership and how much your teammate believes in you and we have a great quarterback in Dak Prescott," Staubach said.
Do you share the belief along with Roger Staubach that Dak Prescott has the ability to get the job done when things are tight at the end of close games? Share your thoughts with Mark on the matter on Twitter @therealmarklane.