It’s Home
April 15, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
Dak Prescott, Jeffery Simmons and more enjoy return to Starkville for Super Bulldog Weekend.
STARKVILLE – Dak Prescott is among the most well-known athletes in the world. The Mississippi State legend and Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback is as recognizable of a star as there is.
These days, Prescott could do anything and be anywhere he wants. Yet on Saturday, there stood Prescott on the sidelines at Davis Wade Stadium as he took in MSU's annual spring game. No matter how famous he may be, Prescott refuses to forget where he came from.
"This place has always been home to me since I came here at 17 years old," Prescott said. "Being able to come back home, see people that you love and just get this feeling – just the euphoria of it alone is something special."
Prescott was one of many former MSU football players back in Starkville for Super Bulldog Weekend. Dozens of State stars were gathered including Prescott, Jeffery Simmons, Willie Gay, Jr., K.J. Wright, Vick Ballard, Martinas Rankin, Tyre Phillips, Josh Boyd, Deljuan Robinson, Pork Chop Womack, Juan Long and more.
Among the many glad to see all the Bulldog stars was Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett.
"It means a lot," Arnett said of having so many Bulldogs back. "Obviously, we want an open-door policy. We want those guys around as much as we can possibly have them. [First], because they gave a lot to our university and putting us on the map with what they're doing [or have done] at the next level. And [also], the fact of the matter is they invested a lot of effort, time, blood, sweat and tears into this program and deserve to be welcomed back here. So, we're awfully proud of them."
Smiles were easy to find all day from Prescott and the rest. Ballard's came to his face before his day even really got started.
"[Saturday] morning, I Tweeted out, 'Maroon,'" Ballard said.
The multiple responses of, 'White' quickly followed.
"All those feelings of hearing people say, 'Maroon, White,' [when I was playing], it all came rushing back to me and made me smile," Ballard said.
Yet what made Ballard happiest of all was simply being back at the place that means so much to him.
"When I think about Mississippi State, I think about family," Ballard said. "I had some of the most fun times in my life on this field and on this campus. So, to come back and see some of my brothers that I played with, it brings back a lot of fond memories."
Rankin relayed similar thoughts.
"It's a home away from home," Rankin said. "Every time I come back, all the memories come back. I remember all we did and it's pretty sweet. I just enjoy coming back."
For Prescott, his Starkville return had an extra cherry on top. At halftime of Saturday's spring game, MSU passed the live mascot harness from the retiring Jak over to a new bulldog, Dak. Prescott took part in the festivities.
"How about it?" Prescott said, seemingly still in awe MSU's live mascot now carries his name. "They've named the mascot after me, so I had to come back and see that…For the mascot of Mississippi State, of this university, to be named after me, it's humbling. It's something I hold very special to me."
It's incredibly fitting for Mississippi State's mascot to be called Dak, as there's no denying Prescott is such a big part of MSU. So, too, are the many others that were back in town Saturday.
It's been said that wherever Mississippi State's people go, the Bulldog family goes with them. And when it's time for those individuals to return, MSU will always be waiting to welcome them back in with open arms.
