MIDLAND Call it another lasting first impression.
A few months after rising to NFL stardom in just his first year in the league, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott arrived in Midland on Thursday for a fundraiser benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Permian Basin — and before the event even started, he was making another profound early impression when he visited and spoke with club kids before the evening’s gala.
Prescott spoke with over 100 young club-goers at Halff Park in Midland on Thursday afternoon, emphasizing the importance of staying active and keeping a focus on education while stopping by on his way to appearing at the organization’s Great Futures benefit gala supporting local clubs.
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Permian Basin Executive Director David Chancellor estimated that the evening’s black-tie event raised more than $300,000 for area clubs.
During his visit with the club children in the afternoon, Prescott answered questions from area kids and tossed bracelets out to each of them.
Araceli Mendoza, 10, of Midland, said it was fun to catch a bracelet from Prescott the same way she saw Cowboys receivers catching touchdowns from Prescott on TV this past fall.
“I will remember it all the time and never forget it,” she said of Prescott’s visit.
Prescott led Dallas to 13 victories and earned Pro Bowl recognition this past season, all during his rookie campaign with the Cowboys. Initially only stepping in early in the season to relieve an injured Tony Romo, Prescott ultimately took reins of the franchise on his way to throwing for 3,667 yards and 23 touchdowns on the season and helping Dallas win an NFC East championship.
Chancellor said that the Permian Basin organization reached out to Prescott back in September to invite him for a visit, back during Prescott’s first few starts with the Cowboys and before his meteoric rise to fame.
Since then, Prescott entered new levels of stardom, but he still honored his commitment to appear at Thursday’s fundraising gala in Midland.
