Arlington, Texas — In the midst of the NFL season and the holiday rush, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reminded his teammates that gratitude and generosity extend far beyond the playing field.
In a scene captured on the latest episode of Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East, Prescott — known for his competitive fire and leadership — took a moment to spotlight an annual club tradition that goes straight to the heart of teamwork: holiday bonuses for the Cowboys’ often-unsung support staff.
With the Cowboys facing a challenging 2025 campaign and a Christmas Day game on the schedule, Prescott gathered his teammates before a practice session and shared what he described as a simple but important message: “Don’t be cheap.”
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The quarterback urged players to pool contributions into a collective bonus fund to show appreciation for the people who help make the team run — from equipment managers and locker room attendants to those who set up practice drills and keep day-to-day operations flowing. These staff members, who rarely make headlines, play a vital role in the behind-the-scenes life of an NFL franchise.
“Obviously, we get paid well… but these other people that do a lot for us … we want to help contribute to them, just to say thank you,” Prescott told teammates in the Hard Knocks clip.
Prescott emphasized that while players and coaches receive significant compensation and media attention, many team staff members work long hours with less public recognition and comparatively modest pay. By encouraging a collective contribution from players’ own pockets, Prescott helped create a meaningful way to acknowledge the broader Cowboys organization’s efforts.
Tradition of Team Appreciation
This gesture is not new for the Cowboys. As reported in previews of the season documentary series, Dak Prescott has made this annual holiday bonus initiative part of the team culture, encouraging generosity year after year.
The tradition involves players signing up and contributing varying amounts to a shared pool, which is then divided among support staff members whose duties range from preparing equipment and facilities to coordinating logistics that keep the team functioning smoothly throughout the long NFL season.
Inside Hard Knocks
The moment aired as part of Hard Knocks: In Season, the reality sports show that has drawn significant attention to the Cowboys’ season, struggles, and locker room dynamics. Even in a year that has fallen short of pre-season expectations, the clip provided a positive glimpse into the team’s internal culture, highlighting mutual respect and the leadership role Prescott plays beyond his on-field responsibilities.
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Despite the team’s current on-field challenges, including inconsistent performance in NFC East play, Prescott’s message resonated with viewers and teammates alike as a reminder that professional sports — at its best — fosters community and appreciation at all levels of an organization.
Beyond the Field
The holiday generosity isn’t limited to financial gestures. Reports from earlier in December highlight that Prescott and several Cowboys players also took time to give back to their local community, including visiting children in hospitals and spreading cheer as part of the broader holiday season.
For Prescott — who signed a lucrative long-term extension with the Cowboys and remains one of the franchise’s cornerstones — the bonus tradition appears rooted in a thoughtful acknowledgment of those whose labor often goes unseen.
As the Cowboys prepare for the remainder of the 2025 season and look ahead to what 2026 may bring, Prescott’s “don’t be cheap” rallying cry offers a timely reminder: teamwork isn’t just about touchdowns and stats. It’s about the collective effort of every individual who contributes to the club’s success — on the field and off.
