Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott confronted a stadium worker who called his team’s performance “embarrassing” following their shock 24-16 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Cowboys suffered their third loss of the NFL season on Thursday night as Tampa Bay, who entered the game with a 0-4 record, claimed their first win of the campaign without Baker Mayfield at AT&T Stadium.
Prescott was making his way towards the locker room after the game when a third-party contractor shouted “embarrassing” from near the players’ exit.
The quarterback appeared more frustrated at the timing and scenery of the comment, rather than the assessment of his performance.
Speaking after the defeat, Prescott explained what happened during the exchange.
“When he said it, I just happened to look at him, and at that point, he looked away,” Prescott said.
“And when I turned my head back, he said something else. And so that’s the part that, just as a man or as just a person, feel free to speak your mind – just speak it. Don’t cower away from the reaction that you’re going to get.
“And so, if you’re saying it’s embarrassing, say it’s embarrassing. If you’re saying it to me, then say it to me. Don’t go back on it.
“So that’s all that was, and hate that it’s even being talked about, to be honest with you.”
The defeat was a particularly damaging result for Dallas, who became only the sixth team in franchise history to lose against an opponent that entered the game with a record of 0-4 or worse.
It was also just the second time the Cowboys had suffered such a defeat at home, with the previous occasion coming against the Green Bay Packers in 1975.
“I think [coach Brian Schottenheimer] said it best in the locker room: In this league, you’ve got to win the games you’re supposed to win,” Prescott said.
“And when a winless team comes into your home stadium in a Thursday night primetime game, yeah, we’re supposed to win that.”
Cowboys defence struggles in shock defeat
Dallas were held to a season-low 16 points as their record dropped to 2-3.
Prescott threw two interceptions from tipped passes, while KaVontae Turpin lost a fumble on a kick-off return.
The Cowboys also struggled to establish their running game, finishing with just 50 rushing yards.
Their defensive problems were even more concerning, with Tampa Bay rushing for 241 yards.
Bucky Irving produced one of the game’s biggest plays with a 72-yard run early in the third quarter, while Dallas allowed 165 rushing yards before contact, the highest total conceded by any NFL team in a game this season.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels completed 19 of his 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown as the Buccaneers secured their first victory.
The Cowboys have now conceded more than 20 points in 12 consecutive games, equaling a franchise record.
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