News: USA Today: For Diverse Cowboys, Dak Prescott Is The Ultimate Unifier

[Direwolf63]

Romo became the QB before he was ready to lead, mostly because he was one of the younger players on an older team and was overshadowed by TO.

And once he became a great leader he had a crappy team and had a hard time staying healthy.

2014 was a great year. That's the Romo I will remember.

Agreed. The interesting thing is that Dak was ready to lead the second he walked into the locker room. Again, a very rare quality. Romo is more the norm.

 

[erod]

I don't believe that the one comment from him was the jist of the story.

The jist of the story was Dak's ability to relate to others. The quote in question, while relevant, was just a tiny piece of the overall story. And you are right it was an opinion not necessarily fact. It was a fact as he saw it however.

The "reporter" prescribed a condition to the Cowboys that Dak relates better to the team than Romo because he has a black dad and a white mom. He quotes a top-secret player or coach to prove his point.

That is the very definition of a paragraph that would have been violently stricken from the story by an editor, and that reporter would have been mocked and ridiculed for weeks.

Back in the day, that reporter would have been back to the facility to finish his story with real quotes, lest it be trashed altogether.

 

[tyke1doe]

Why are so many things attributed to race? It's so short-sighted

First, this is only one story out of the thousands of stories done on Dak that explores the race angle.

Second, whether we like it or not race and the consequences of race has shaped American society. You just don't get rid of something that dominates this country for more than 200 years in a few years, comparably speaking.

 

[Direwolf63]

The "reporter" prescribed a condition to the Cowboys that Dak relates better to the team than Romo because he has a black dad and a white mom. He quotes a top-secret player or coach to prove his point.

That is the very definition of a paragraph that would have been violently stricken from the story by an editor, and that reporter would have been mocked and ridiculed for weeks.

Back in the day, that reporter would have been back to the facility to finish his story with real quotes, lest it be trashed altogether.

I'm no expert in journalism, so I will stand aside in this debate.

I just didn't think the quote was that big of a deal.

 

[DallasEast]

I'm not sure how the author tried to "spice" up the article. I'm also not surprised that a player asked to remain anonymous when discussing Dak and Romo and race relations.

Good read.

I believe the bold infers my earlier comments. I apply the spice description to the following three passages in the article:

1.

Now, Tony Romo is an insurance policy, one likely playing his last season in Dallas.

The article's premise elaborates upon his own empathic personal traits and how he has utilized them to his advantage towards improving the team through stronger inter-personal relationships. Romo's backup status has nothing to do with it.

2.

A midday practice in early August caught the attention of the Cowboys front office.

Romo had a day off. Backup Kellen Moore had broken his ankle in the first week of training camp, which meant that on this day, Prescott would play
all firstteam reps.

Prescott flung a backshoulder toss to Dez Bryant at the front pylon. Bryant didn’t quite come back to the ball the way Prescott thought he should, so the ball skipped across the grass incomplete.
The rookie pulled the veteran aside, and without showing Bryant up, informed him that he didn’t run the route properly.

A rookie in his first training camp telling an allpro receiver how to run a route? Gasoline, meet fire. That Prescott was instructing the animated, mercurial, and oftenheated Bryant only heightened that.But Bryant listened.\

“It takes a lot of courage, or whatever the word is – personal confidence – to go up to a Dez Bryant and say that,” Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson tells USA TODAY Sports.

Showers opts for another word: “ballsy.”

The above passage certainly highlights Prescott's leadership qualities but is unnecessary for supporting the article's premise of the unique nature of Prescott's diversity. The Wilson and Showers quotes underscore Prescott's quarterback managerial capabilities. Impressive, yes, especially from a rookie player but an unnecessary example for illustrating player-to-player relationships influenced primarily by diversity.

3.

Prescott’s back to Earth moment came in Week 14, a 107 loss against the New York Giants.
It was the rookie’s worst game. He completed only 17 of 37 attempts for 165 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. It reignited the debate:

Romo or Dak?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones fanned the hot takes on his weekly radio show when he said it was a “legitimate discussion” whether to start Romo. Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, a man with serious sway in this part of the country, said he was “dumbfounded” by Jones’ comments.

Prescott says he heard the noise, was aware of it, but tried to go about his routine as best as he could. In front of reporters, he deflected.

Privately, however, some people close to Prescott wished Jones would’ve thrown his full support behind the rookie.

“That week, I had a little extra juice than I had the week before,” Prescott says. “I knew what was going on. I didn’t really pay attention to the he said, she said. Troy said this, Jerry said that. I knew the best way to handle it was to work my *** off, play one of my best games, and win.”

Jones later admitted to The Wall Street Journal that it “probably is intentional” that he stirred up the debate to drum interest in his team.

Prescott responded by going 32 for 36 for 279 yards in a 26-20 victory over Tampa Bay and 15 for 20 for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 42-21 victory over the Detroit Lions.

"When I bounced back, I wasn’t surprised,” Prescott says, “but it was a relief.”

The non-debate has nothing to do with the article premise. The Aikman and Jones quotes and attributions? Likewise and more sensational based than relevant. The passage is better suited for a story explaining how Prescott has excelled as a rookie quarterback and not within a story that alludes to how Prescott's diversity has helped the team succeed.

I may be wrong but I believe the anonymous reference was meant for me also. Honestly, I did roll my eyes when I saw the anonymous quotation (I've certainly made myself clear on this site how I feel about such use ) but I did moreso because the comment was inserted into the article and not elaborated upon. Doing so could have strengthen the article's premise. Instead, it was left as is.

I apologize in advance if your reply wasn't prompted by my earlier post.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Interesting indeed.

For an article so focused on race, it is not once mentioned that Antonio Ramiro Romo is Mexican American.

I think its interesting that the thesis appears to be that Prescott relates well to all his teammates in part because of his biracial identity. Is Romo unable to do that because he's Mexican American? Do African American players not relate to Romo because he is Mexican American? Is some of the vitriol aimed at Romo because he is Mexican American? Do African American fans and players prefer Prescott over Romo because he's African American and not Mexican American?

All questions raised, but not answered by this article. In fact, the article treats race as a binary (black or white). Very strange.

Yep. I know Jeff Garcia was Mexican too. I remember when we played Philly, it was the first time ever that two teams with Mexican QBs played each other. Also Mark Sanchez is Mexican. We might be the only team in history with two Mexican QBs. Okay, that's my tidbit for the day.

 

[DallasEast]

I'm biracial.

It absolutely has helped me be a more well rounded person with regard to relating to a bigger, diverse group of people.

But that doesn't mean that others can't be well rounded or relatable, and being biracial doesn't make you a leader or successful either.

Good points. I wish the author had stayed on-topic in this regard.

 

[tyke1doe]

Then as a reporter (believe me, I know that business implicitly), you also know that you can't make a mass assertion about an entire locker room based on one random comment from an unnamed source. Not of a story of this whimsical nature. It's unprofessional at least, unethical probably.

An unnamed source is used when, for instance, a player or coach has been charged with a felony, and nobody is talking. You might need to protect a source that is providing you background to the situation. That is VERY different than this.

This is a back-handed smear to Romo for a condition that never existed by a reporter who flew through town, mocked up a story, and flew back out. In fact, he probably did this story over the phone.

You know the business from what perspective, as a reporter, an editor, an advertiser?

Second, unnamed sources aren't just used the way you say. If the story needs a quote that you can't get on the record, an unnamed quote can be used.

Third, the author supports the story with quotes from named people, including Dak. It would be one thing if the story quotes no one then includes an unnamed source. But it doesn't. Apparently, Dak and other Cowboys were aware of the author's intent because they gave quotes that fit his story. It appears he gained access to the Cowboys locker room and was able to get someone to share information he didn't want attribute to him.
You'd be surprised what people will share with you when they get to know you. I would have sources tell me all types of stuff about people off the record or on background.
Football players are no different.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I think this is just silly. He's a natural leader and a great player. Not a lot of guys have that. Heck, Tom Brady is one of the few guys in the league open about his particular political preference and I don't think anyone would question him as a leader. He should be despised by half the locker room and cause a split in the team chemistry, according to hack journalists. The reality is, these guys are football players and I don't think they really care, except Kaep. Heck, that white Eagles WR had the best year of his career right after being caught on tape going on a racist rant.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Even though he is, I don't think most people consider Romo as Mexican-American. They consider him white.

And most people probably don't consider Dak white.

 

[DallasEast]

Forum Rule #7 - You will not post political discussions or comments.​

Please refrain from including any direct or indirect political references of any kind in all posts. Thanks.

 

[tyke1doe]

Again, this isn't Watergate.

In true practice, you are supposed to use unnamed sources to gather information so you can then more effectively get actual quotes on the record from more pertinent sources. That's the real point of sources to begin with.

Then, if you can't get anyone to go on record, you carefully decide if your sources have given you accurate and complete enough information to run with a story without anyone on record. That's supposed to be a really hard decision. These days, it's just....whatever.

Lazy journalism and attention-whoring reporters have taken over the media. Alas, nobody trusts them anymore.

That's one way to develop sources. But there are times when you're not going to get certain quotes on the record. Who's going to tell you openly Romo might not relate to the players like Dak does? No one.

Be that as it may, you still haven't provided any facts to support the fabrication of this unnamed quote.

 

[Sportsbabe]

I believe the bold infers my earlier comments. I apply the spice description to the following three passages in the article:

1.The article's premise elaborates upon his own empathic personal traits and how he has utilized them to his advantage towards improving the team through stronger inter-personal relationships. Romo's backup status has nothing to do with it.

2.The above passage certainly highlights Prescott's leadership qualities but is unnecessary for supporting the article's premise of the unique nature of Prescott's diversity. The Wilson and Showers quotes underscore Prescott's quarterback managerial capabilities. Impressive, yes, especially from a rookie player but an unnecessary example for illustrating player-to-player relationships influenced primarily by diversity.

3.The non-debate has nothing to do with the article premise. The Aikman and Jones quotes and attributions? Likewise and more sensational based than relevant. The passage is better suited for a story explaining how Prescott has excelled as a rookie quarterback and not within a story that alludes to how Prescott's diversity has helped the team succeed.

I may be wrong but I believe the anonymous reference was meant for me also. Honestly, I did roll my eyes when I saw the anonymous quotation (I've certainly made myself clear on this site how I feel about such use ) but I did moreso because the comment has inserted into the article and not elaborated upon. Doing so could have strengthen the article's premise. Instead, it was left as is.

I apologize in advance if your reply wasn't prompted by my earlier post.

I like the way you discuss and dissect the issues. Intellectually honest.

 

[DandyDon1722]

The relationship between blacks and whites in America is historically different than the relationship between whites and Hispanics or blacks and Hispanics.

The racial dynamics aren't the same.

True.

Also, the racial dynamics of team sports is far different from the general dynamics of race outside of sports.

I wish every person in this country, both men and women, could spend one season on a team with multiple races.

Every practice, every game, every road trip, every loss and every win - on a team, together.

They would never look at race the same ever again.

 

[CapnCook]

"I want to win the Super Bowl. But I want to make sure I put myself in a situation to do it again."

...and again, and again, and again!!!

BTW, Garrett has been able to get the most out of Chris Jones. I wonder why that wasn't mentioned?

 

[tyke1doe]

The "reporter" prescribed a condition to the Cowboys that Dak relates better to the team than Romo because he has a black dad and a white mom. He quotes a top-secret player or coach to prove his point.

That is the very definition of a paragraph that would have been violently stricken from the story by an editor, and that reporter would have been mocked and ridiculed for weeks.

Back in the day, that reporter would have been back to the facility to finish his story with real quotes, lest it be trashed altogether.

With all due respect, you don't know what you're talking about.
If the editor had doubts about the source, he/she would have asked "Who is the source?".
If the reporter was indeed telling the truth, he would tell the editor, who likely would have asked for information to verify the quote.
If the editor discovered that the reporter had fabricated the source, the reporter would be reprimanded, discipled and/or fired.

There would be no mocking and ridiculing because editors work in places governed by professional codes of conduct and ethics. Workplaces aren't like message boards.

 

[Sportsbabe]

With all due respect, you don't know what you're talking about.
If the editor had doubts about the source, he/she would have asked "Who is the source?".
If the reporter was indeed telling the truth, he would tell the editor, who likely would have asked for information to verify the quote.
If the editor discovered that the reporter had fabricated the source, the reporter would be reprimanded, discipled and/or fired.

There would be no mocking and ridiculing because editors work in places governed by professional codes of conduct and ethics. Workplaces aren't like message boards.

"codes of conduct and ethics"?!?! Get outta here wit that (sarcasm).

 

[Dale]

To me, this story just underscores Dak's ability to lead. Part of his leadership comes from his background, part of it his education, and part of it his innate ability to read and understand people.

 

[Dale]

So much is made of racial components, but it's undeniable that we are all impacted by our upbringing and surroundings. Some people grow up in rough neighborhoods and don't survive. Others use that same upbringing to fuel their thirst to secure a better life. Some people grow up with money and turn a relatively small fortune into millions. Others grow up with money and squander it away. Some biracial people experience a life where they feel like they don't fit in anywhere. Others fit in everywhere.

This story simply tells Dak's story, and how he is impacted by it.

No matter how you slice it, it's clear Dak gets it. He could hang up the cleats tomorrow and enjoy tremendous success in some other industry. He's driven, and people are driven to him.

 

[tyke1doe]

"codes of conduct and ethics"?!?! Get outta here wit that (sarcasm).

I know it's hard to believe.