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Dak the Dog: Cowboys’ Prescott Honored with New Mascot Name

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott still hasn’t had his No. 15 jersey retired at his alma mater. But for now, Mississippi State has decided to honor him in another way.

Before he became a household name as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott was etching his name into the history books during his time with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

And yet, Prescott still hasn’t had his No. 15 jersey retired at his alma mater.

It’s bound to happen eventually. For now, the number is worn by both defensive end Jack Harris and quarterback Jake Weir.

Ironic then, that instead of a jersey retirement, Mississippi State honored Prescott a different way when he made an appearance at the program’s annual spring game on Saturday in Starkville during Super Bulldog Weekend.

Jak the Bulldog, the team’s mascot, is retiring and being replaced by a newly-named bulldog named Dak in honor of Prescott.

"How about it?" Prescott said, per Mississippi State Athletics. "They've named the mascot after me, so I had to come back and see that … Being able to come back home, see people that you love and just get this feeling – just the euphoria of it alone is something special."

Prescott was clearly special to the people there, too. How couldn’t he be considering all he accomplished there before an unlikely journey to NFL multi-millionaire?

While leading the program to its first-ever AP No. 1 ranking in the 2014 season, Prescott also finished second in MSU history in career passing yards (9,376), completions (734) and passing touchdowns (70). Known as one of the top dual-threat weapons in the country during his time playing collegiate ball, he ended his Bulldogs career, regardless of position, 10th in rushing yards (2,521) and third in rushing touchdowns (41).

Now, he finds himself right near the top of the career record books for one of the most decorated franchises in all of professional sports as well. Prescott is third in Cowboys history in passing yards (24,943) and second in passing touchdowns (166).

But despite the career accolades, having a slobbery bulldog named after him seems to be right there on his list.

"For the mascot of Mississippi State, of this university, to be named after me, it's humbling,” Prescott said. "It’s something I hold very special to me.”


You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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