FRISCO, Texas – On Monday, the Cowboys made their 36th annual trip to local hospitals for the holidays, visiting patients around the DFW area and delivering gifts.
The team, as well as Cowboys chief brand officer/co-owner Charlotte Jones and the Cowboys Cheerleaders, visited four separate hospitals in the area to spend time with patients seeking treatment during the holiday season.
"It's a very rewarding feeling, just to be able to hit these halls and put smiles on faces just from even my presence or just a simple 'hey,'" QB Dak Prescott said. "Something I never take for granted, I'm super grateful and just excited about doing it today."
Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa felt the same way.
"It means the world to these kids, so it's definitely something that means a lot to us and just to be able to do it is a blessing…" Odighizuwa said. "To just be able to have that impact on somebody with something as simple as your time and your presence. It's pretty great to be able to impact people in a way like this, and it's just another reminder of how blessed we truly are."
While it's an experience that patients, kids and their families will remember for the rest of their lives, the annual visits also leave a big impact on the players, with Prescott emphasizing he gets a lot out of the yearly trips.
"Hopefully the kids are impacted, hopefully the kids leave today or we leave them with a huge smile and a moment they'll never forget, them and their parents as well. The inspiration that they provide us, whether you're bumped up or bruised or you're feeling bad for yourself or just down and out after a loss, just to come in here and to see what life is really about and the reality."
"Being here at Children's [Medical Center Dallas], and understanding being a father of some of these parents and what they're going through of them not wanting to necessarily be here. Unfortunately, under these circumstances they are. It's important for us to be here, and I'm so thankful that I have an impact that can cheer up their day. It means a lot for me to be able to share this time with them."
Last year, Prescott was unable to make the trip because of a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the final eight games of the 2024 season. This year's trip was his first as a father, which made the visit hit closer to home.
"You [interviewed] me before, but I'm sure if you [interviewed] me after, emotions are definitely going to be hitting home more than normal," Prescott said. "Obviously losing a mom to cancer and just being all too familiar with hospitals and just adversity is one thing, but to now see the youth in here and these children, to see kids the same age as my kids, just reminds you of how unfair life is and just to be thankful for the cards you're dealt and just playing them the best we can."
