Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been fined $25,000 by the NFL for his comments condoning fans throwing debris at officials following Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers, sources confirmed.
Prescott initially said, “Credit to them then. Credit to them” when told that fans were throwing things at the officials as they walked off the field.
Prescott was given a chance to clarify his comments but doubled down down.
“Yeah, I mean, yeah, if they weren’t at us, and if the fans felt the same way as us and that’s what they were doing it for, yeah,” Prescott with a response even more vociferous than before. “I’m guessing that’s why the refs took off and got out of there so fast. Yeah, I think everybody is upset with the way that this thing played out. As I said, I’m sure a fan would feel the same way that we do.”
Then Tuesday, Prescott, who is the Cowboys’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, tweeted an apology.
“I deeply regret the comments I made regarding the officials after the game on Sunday. I was caught up in the emotion of a disappointing loss and my words were uncalled for and unfair.
“I hold the NFL Officials in the highest regard and have always respected their professionalism and the difficulty of their jobs. The safety of everyone who attends a game or participates on the field of a sporting event is a very serious matter.
“That was a mistake on my behalf, and I am sorry.”
Prescott’s comments drew a harsh rebuke from the NBA Referees Association, which encouraged the NFL to take action “to discourage this deplorable behavior in the future,” and the media.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Prescott’s comments and those of his teammates criticizing the officials were part of the emotions and disappointments of the loss.
“I think comments after games, people are emotional, particularly when it doesn’t go the way you think it should go,” McCarthy said.
