Dak Prescott Just Preached a 7 Point Sermon in 90 Seconds

I don’t know Dak Prescott personally. I know he’s the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. I know he entered the season without a long term contract. And I know he was off to a pretty incredible start. He was on pace to shatter the NFL record for passing yards in a season. 

But Dak Prescott’s season is now over after suffering a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. He is looking at 4-6 months of rehab. 

The scene of him leaving the stadium on a cart was emotional. Without a long term contract, that may be the last time he exits the field as the Cowboys starting quarterback. Hopefully it’s not. 

After Dak’s surgery, he turned the camera on himself (and posted it to Instagram) and shared what was on his heart and mind to the rest of the world. It only took him 90 seconds. As impressive as he has been on the football field, these 90 seconds is all it took for me to become a fan of his. The video is filled with truth, perspective, and hope. It went beyond encouraging or inspirational. It felt…pastoral. 

Whether he intended it or not, Dak Prescott’s video turned into a 90 second sermon. 

And it’s one worth listening to.

If we could pull the notes from his impromptu sermon, I think we would find 7 crucial points. 

“This little adversity is going to be another chapter in the book. I’m excited to move forward and write it.”

There are three things I love about this point. One, Dak seemingly understands that this is significant enough to be a big part of his story—but not the title of the book. It’s just a chapter. It’s a piece of his story, not his identity.

Secondly, he is excited to write it. You read that correctly. Dak is excited about the journey ahead of him. He is not playing the victim. He is not sulking and talking about what could have been if he was healthy. Any of those responses would be understandable. To even be neutral emotionally would be acceptable. But excited? That type of response is exceptional. And I think he is being honest with us. Watch the video with the sound off and look at his face. He’s smiling, not sulking. If you didn’t know he was injured, you would think he was breaking big news to the sports world.

The third thing I loved about this point is that he is the one writing the story. He didn’t have control over the chapter of the book, but he absolutely has a say in how the chapter unfolds. Dak told us that he is excited to write this chapter. I can’t wait to read it.

“I’m looking forward to this football season, seeing the game in a different perspective.”

This is leadership. Did you catch the significance of what he said? Let’s look at what he didn’t say first: “I’m looking forward to rehabbing and coming back stronger next season.” Most athletes would have said that. Most athletes do say some form of that. And it’s not necessarily wrong. But it also doesn’t honor the teammates who are still focused on this season.  Dak understands this. 

At this point in his monologue, there is no mention of next season. He is still in the present. Again, this is leadership. Dak seems to understand that it’s not all about him. His teammates are still playing. 

By sharing that he is looking forward to this season, he honors his teammates, coaches, and the owner (who didn’t give him the long term contract yet). 

But that’s not all. He also takes the posture of a learner by mentioning that he is excited to see the game from a different perspective. Leaders are learners. 

“To support my teammates and those around the league that need it.”

Oftentimes, the thing that gets us through the pain is proper perspective. Dak understands his purpose goes beyond the sport he plays. He rightly prioritizes people above the game. 

If his primary purpose was football, the fractured and dislocated ankle would have also fractured his spirit. He mentions multiple times in this video that he is in “great spirits.” Why?

I am speculating here. Remember, I don’t know him. But it seems like his higher calling as a Christ follower committed to serving others is allowing him to find purpose in this situation. You can impact others whether you’re on the field leading the team or in training room/locker room conversations. 

Dak aslo sees other athletes around the league as his mission field. He is the star quarterback of an NFL team. The leader of a franchise. It would be easy—and appropriate—for him to focus on his team and his own recovery.

But he expands his mission field to other athletes on competing teams as well. It reminds me a lot of what Jesus said in Matthew 20:28. That He didn’t come “to be served but to serve.”

It reminds me of what Paul said in Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Suffering often causes us to stay inward focused. At a time when he would be perfectly justified to focus on himself, Dak is choosing to follow the path of servanthood. 

“Excited for God’s purpose and God’s plan.”

He goes on to say that God’s purpose and plan is bigger than anything that he could see or even imagine. 

This statement sounds so contrarian. How can you be excited while being injured? Shouldn’t the injury rob you of the very joy you could have experienced playing the game you love? For Prescott, joy is not dependent on circumstances. It’s dependent on the Person and work of Jesus Christ. His quote above reminded me of Philippians 4:12-13 where Paul says: 

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

It sure seems like Dak has learned the secret of being content, regardless of the situation. His joy is in Christ. 

“I’m trusting him. My faith is doubled down more than ever.” 

If Dak was playing Texas hold’em, this is him going all in. He has a chance to back out and question God’s purpose and plan. But he pushes his chips to the center of the table and says, in a sense, I am all in. I trust God knows what He is doing. 

Guess who I am going to reference in the Bible to echo this truth? Yep, Paul. This time in Romans 5:3-4:

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Now, I am not comparing the sufferings of Paul with Prescott’s fractured and dislocated ankle. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t either. But the progression of suffering to perseverance to character to hope is exactly the process that Prescott is beginning—even if it is at a different level than Paul. 

“I’m thankful that He’s my savior and He guides me in life.”

This is the pivot point in his 90 second sermon. How can you have this perspective Dak? How are you able to maintain positivity and joy in this moment? 

Trust. Not in himself. Or the Cowboys. Or the NFL. But trust in God. 

Whether intentional or not, Dak points us again to a greater perspective. Sports are great. Winning is great. But neither should define us. Like Paul in Philippians 4, Prescott is able to share about a contentment and trust in God while he is in the valley. 

“All of this will be a great comeback and great story.”

I anxiously awaited to see how Dak would close this out. I expected something like “I trust God is going to help me come back stronger and better than ever.” Or to borrow the cheesy one liner used by athletes before him: “The comeback will be greater than the setback.” 

Dak made his pivot point. He shared why he was able to maintain this perspective. His faith in God. But he seemed careful not to use this faith in a way that predicted future success because of God. He chose to focus on the power of story (testimony) instead of the power of success.  

Maybe I’m over analyzing everything. Maybe Dak wouldn’t agree with how I interpreted his words. But like so many of his games have deserved sports analysts reviewing every detail of every play because each one was so incredible, this video deserves a similar treatment.

Words matter.

Platforms matter.

Dak just used his platform, whether he intended to or not, to preach one of the best sermons I have ever heard.

And it only took him 90 seconds to do it.