Its home – Mississippi State

Mississippi State Athletics

Football
April 15, 2023Joel Coleman, Senior Writer

Dak Prescott, Jeffery Simmons and more enjoy returning to Starkville for Super Bulldog Weekend.

STARKVILLE Dak Prescott is one of the most famous athletes in the world. The Mississippi State legend and Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback is as recognizable a star as there is.

Today, Prescott could do anything and be anywhere. However, on Saturday, Prescott stood on the sidelines at Davis Wade Stadium as he attended MSU’s annual spring game. No matter how famous he is, Prescott refuses to forget where he came from.

“This place has always been home to me since I came here when I was 17,” Prescott said. “Being able to come home, see the people you love and just have that feeling, just the euphoria of it is something special.”

Prescott was one of many former MSU football players in Starkville for Super Bulldog Weekend. Dozens of all-state stars were drafted including Prescott, Jeffery Simmons, Willie Gay, Jr., KJ Wright, Vick Ballard, Martinas Rankin, Tire Phillips, Josh Boyd, Deljuan Robinson, Pork Chop Womack, Juan Long and others.

Many happy to see the Bulldog stars was Mississippi State’s head coach Zach Arnett.

“It means a lot,” Arnett said, to have so many Bulldogs back. “Obviously we want an open door policy. We want those guys around as much as possible. [First]because they gave a lot to our university and put us on the map in what they did [or have done] at the next level. And [also], the fact is they put a lot of effort, time, blood, sweat and tears into this show and deserve to be welcomed back here. So we’re awfully proud of them.”

It was easy to find smiles all day from Prescott and others. Ballard got in his face before his day had really started.

“[Saturday] in the morning I tweeted “Maroon,” Ballard said.

Several responses of “white” quickly followed.

“All those feelings 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 in a place that means so much to him.

“When I think of Mississippi State, I think of family,” Ballard said. “I had the most fun times of my life on this field and on this campus. So to come back and see some of my brothers that I played with brings back a lot of good memories.”

Rankin conveyed similar thoughts.

“It’s a home away from home,” Rankin said. “Every time I come back, all the memories come back. I remember everything we did, and it’s pretty sweet. I just enjoy being back.”

For Prescott, his return to Starkville was an extra cherry on top. Midway through Saturday’s spring game, MSU handed the living mascot harness of retiring Jak to new bulldog Dak. Prescott attended the party.

“How about?” Prescott said, seemingly still in awe of MSU’s living mascot now bearing his name. “They’ve named a mascot after me, so I had to go back and see that Mississippi State, this university’s mascot being named after me is humbling. I think it’s very important.”

It’s incredibly fitting that Mississippi State’s mascot is named Dak, as there’s no denying that Prescott is such a big part of MSU. So are many others who returned to the city on Saturday.

It has been said that wherever the people of Mississippi State go, the Bulldog family goes with them. And when it’s time for those individuals to return, MSU always welcomes them back in with open arms.