The Dallas Cowboys quarterback, 29, was at the receiving end of a chorus of boos from both sets of fans ahead of Sunday’s title game while being awarded the NFL’s Man of the Year Award, which is named after former Bears running back Walter Payton.
Prescott managed to keep his cool and pull a smile in front of cameras after his name was echoed in the stadium, barely a month after the Cowboys were beaten by the San Francisco 49ers for a second straight season in the NFL’s Divisional Round.
The Eagles consider the Cowboys as their biggest rivals in the NFC East Division since they play each other twice a year.
Dallas Cowboys QB was booed by Eagles fans after being named the NFL’s Man of the Year
Screenshot
Prescott (L) was handed the award by 2021 winner and Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth (R)
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is widely considered as one of the league’s most prestigious individual accolades.
It ‘honors a player’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as his excellence on the field.’
Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, nine-time Pro Bowler Walter Payton retired with a Super Bowl ring (XX), the most receptions by a non-receiver in NFL history and eight career touchdown passes, as a running back.
He died from cholangiocarcinoma in 1999 after struggling to fight a rare liver disease – primary sclerosing cholangitis – for several months.
Payton’s legacy isn’t limited to his sporting accomplishments as he also heightened awareness of the need of organ donations before his passing.
Prescott’s nomination was revealed on Thursday at the annual NFL Honors, which took place at Symphony Hall in Phoenix this year, two days before Sunday’s game.
‘Thank you to the NFL, to Commissioner [Roger] Goodell, to Nationwide for recognizing the impact that we as NFL players can have off the field,’ Prescott said at the time.
‘To the Payton family, I have such appreciation for Walter, for your beautiful family that continues the legacy through your charitable work.’
‘[…] That’s something I’ve always said, that I hope that when I finish this game, they can say he was a helluva player, but he was a much better person,’ the NFL’s 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year added.