Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott apologized Tuesday for remarks he made after his team’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers — tweeting he “deeply” regrets crediting fans for throwing bottles and trash at the referees as they left the field.
In his post-game press conference, Prescott initially condemned the fans’ behavior when he thought the objects were thrown at Cowboys players. But when he was told the items were intended for the game’s referees, Prescott replied, “Credit to them then. Credit to them.”
The Cowboys were whistled for a franchise playoff record of 14 penalties in their 23-17 loss to the 49ers.
The comments drew scrutiny from the NBA Referees Association, which encouraged the NFL “to take action to discourage this deplorable behavior in the future.”
Prescott tweeted Tuesday that he made a mistake, adding he was sorry.
“I was caught up in the emotion of a disappointing loss and my words were uncalled for and unfair,” Prescott said. “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.”
The NBRA condemns the comments by Dak Prescott condoning violence against game officials. As an NFL leader, he should know better. We encourage the NFL to take action to discourage this deplorable behavior in the future.
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) January 18, 2022
I deeply regret the comments I made regarding the officials after the game on Sunday.
— Dak Prescott (@dak) January 19, 2022
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.
— Dak Prescott (@dak) January 19, 2022
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.
— Dak Prescott (@dak) January 19, 2022
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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