Around five years ago, Dak Prescott initiated a peculiar trend by donning sleeves on his arms midway through the season. He wasn't alone in this sartorial choice; his former teammate Ezekiel Elliott also embraced the trend. Remarkably, as they sported these sleeves, the Cowboys' fortunes took a turn for the better, culminating in a string of victories.
This sudden shift in performance prompted the football community to question the significance behind Dak Prescott's long sleeves, attributing it to superstition. This article seeks to uncover the intriguing backstory and rationale behind Prescott's enduring sleeve tradition.
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70% Win
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70% Win
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'; }); pollOptions.innerHTML = pollOptionsDom; pollCount.innerHTML = totalVotes + ' votes'; if (totalVotes > 10) { pollCount.classList.remove("hidden"); } } function trackBetsTodayPollImpression() { var intersectionObserverForArticlePoll = new IntersectionObserver( function(entries) { entries.forEach(function(entry) { var pollId = entry.target.getAttribute("data-poll-id"); if (POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['impression_tracked']) return; if (!entry.target || !entry.isIntersecting || entry.intersectionRatio < 0.5) return; setTimeout(function() { if (isInViewport(entry.target)) { POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['impression_tracked'] = true; var isDesktop = "1"; var gaPayload = { "question" : POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['question'], "category": "NFL", "page_url": window.location.href, "option1": POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['option1'], "option2": POLLS_BY_ID[pollId]['option2'], } if (isDesktop) { gaPayload["device"] = "Desktop"; } else { gaPayload["device"] = "Mobile"; } gtag("event", "BETS_TODAY_POLL_IMPRESSION", gaPayload); intersectionObserverForArticlePoll.unobserve(entry.target); } }, 1000); }); }, { threshold: 0.5 } ); var pollElements = document.querySelectorAll('.bets-today-poll'); pollElements.forEach(function(pollElement) { var isAnswered = pollElement.querySelector(".poll-option-answered"); if (!isAnswered) { intersectionObserverForArticlePoll.observe(pollElement); } }) } return { answerPollX: answerPollX, }; }();In the 2018 NFL season, Dak Prescott, in his third year with the Cowboys, faced a rocky start. The team endured a winless preseason, setting a gloomy tone. The regular season began with a discouraging 16-8 loss against the Panthers, followed by a 3-5 record in their initial eight games. However, a turning point came after their defeat to the Tennessee Titans in the eighth game.
The night preceding the November 11th game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Elliott and Prescott huddled to contemplate a change. Elliott vividly recalls their conversation, emphasizing the need for a shift in momentum. He stated:
"We got to get something going, we need some new juju or something. So we were like, 'Man, let's wear long sleeves this game.' That was that Philly game and that was the start of this win streak, so I think hopefully you'll be seeing long sleeves through the rest of the season."Prescott went forward with this decision, foreseeing the chilly conditions.
This shift in attire proved to be a game changer. With the duo sporting long sleeves, the Cowboys secured five consecutive victories, concluding the season with an impressive 10-6 record.
Their triumphs earned them a spot in the playoffs, clinching a 24-22 victory against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Wild Card Round. The following challenge, however, saw them face a setback, succumbing to a 22-30 defeat against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.
Since that transformative Week 10 encounter in 2018, Dak Prescott has upheld his distinctive shirt routine. From then on, the team's dynamic quarterback and running back have consistently worn white long-sleeved shirts beneath their uniforms, even when playing indoors.
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Dak Prescott's Sleeve Saga: Superstition or Routine?
In an interview, Dak was questioned about the former Cowboy's HC Jason Garrett's perspective on his sleeve-wearing habit. Dak responded initially with a touch of humor, attributing it to 'superstition,' only to later amend his answer to 'a routine.'
Before his coaching tenure, Jason Garrett was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and notably sported wristbands on both arms, each strategically positioned with the Cowboys logo facing him.
While some may view this as superstitious, Garrett asserted it was merely a "routine" to ensure the logo didn't hinder him when wiping away sweat.
Dak's association with superstition stems from a lighthearted remark, forever linking him to the long sleeves. Now, five years on, regardless of game outcomes, Prescott remains committed to his sleeve-wearing tradition.
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