But shortly after he was introduced, loud boos could be heard throughout State Farm Stadium.
Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys is honored on the field prior to Super Bowl LVII after winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year award at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Last year's Man of the Year recipient Andrew Whitworth presented Prescott with this year's award.
"Being named Walter Payton Man of the Year is one of the highest honors of my entire career. And now let me welcome your newest Walter Payton Man of the Year, Dak Prescott," Whitworth said.
Prescott awkwardly smiled and waived as the boos rained down before some of the crowd noise was somewhat drowned out by music.
Prescott was the 2016 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and has been named to two Pro Bowls over the course of his seven seasons with the Cowboys.
Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys is seen on the field prior to Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
But Prescott said winning the Man of the Year award holds a special significance for him.
"It’s No. 1," he explained. "When your mom gets diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, she’s given months to live, she's giving you that news, and she tells you, ‘Hey, all greats have a story. Allow me to be your story.’ That’s what this award means to me."
Dak Prescott accepts the Walter Payton Man of the Year award from Andrew Whitworth during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
Prescott and the Cowboys won 12 games in back-to-back seasons and beat Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in the wild-card round in January. But Dallas could not get past the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Eagles are going for their second Super Bowl win in five years. Meanwhile, a win on Sunday would give the Kansas City Chiefs their second championship in the last four seasons.