A little youngster entered the locker room before a football game during Dak Prescott’s junior year at Haughton High School in rural Louisiana. Prescott froze as the youngster requested her signature.

Prescott laughs at the recollection of his first signature request, which made him more apprehensive than the youngster asking for it, standing at his kitchen counter two weeks earlier. Since then, he has signed hundreds of autographs as a young Dallas Cowboys star and Mississippi State record-breaker. But that event reminded him of the thrill of helping others.

“That was kind of the beginning,” Prescott added. “The first time I realized my impact when someone looks up to me, I’ll never forget it.”

Kendrell Daniels displays his works. Yahoo Sports

Dallas will face its biggest challenge of Prescott’s short career in their traditional Thanksgiving game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. They’ve lost consecutive games, are without Sean Lee and Tyron Smith, and miss Ezekiel Elliott. Before becoming a franchise NFL quarterback, Prescott’s career was a tornado of luck, chance, and opportunism. Prescott has discovered his influence on people as he went from fourth-round choice to NFL оffensive Rookie of the Year to one of the NFL’s rising stars.

Prescott has accepted the authority of being the Cowboys’ quarterback.

“It’s heartwarming that I can do so little and it will meаn so much,” Prescott added. “I almost can’t understand the process because it’s so small to me but so big to someone.”

Those who’ve observed Prescott realize his humanitarian influence have been stunneԀ by his reach. Prescott didn’t just visit Camp Jabber Jaw, a camp for children and families with augmentative communication devices, before his final year at Mississippi State. Prescott sat down with roughly 30 kids and their families to talk individually. “That’s when he had me,” said Mississippi State T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability case manager Judy Duncan.

Prescott met an exceptional program student via his T.K. Martin connections. Prescott met 17-year-old Kemper County (Miss.) High School senior Kendrell Daniels at his summer camp in Starkville. Daniels was born without arms, but T.K. Martin’s “EXPRESS Yourself!” program has helped him discover himself. Since here, Daniels has gained confidence and discovered artistic release via painting. He may attend Mississippi State for college, something he never did before the program. He stated, “It’s given me opportunities, tools I can use, for what I would need to come to college.””

Kendrell Daniels’ artwork hangs at Dak Prescott’s house. Yahoo Sports

One of Daniels’ toe-painted works displays in Prescott’s foyer. After working with trackers Laurie Craig and Duncan, Daniels now paints alone. He met Daniels at his camp last summer after hаnging up a piece of art Daniels produced without knowing who made it. Daniels sees his Prescott meeting tape every week. Prescott found the event meaningful: “It allows me to take everything and all my blessings and put it in perspective.” Take nothing for granted. His thoughts and heart are used to sketch and be an artist, touching my life. It reminds me of my impact.”

Prescott’s influence as the most publicized football player for one of America’s most prominent sports franchises was captured in one quick but unforgettable moment this summer. With Prescott signed for a lengthy run as quarterback in Dallas, his reach will expand.

Former trailer park youngster moves to million-dollar mansion in gated neighborhood near Cowboys practice site. But Prescott’s philanthropic work since his suԀԀen climb to popularity last season shows precocious sensitivity. Prescott still feels the excitement of giving that first autograph after thousands.

“We feel like he’s been dropped from heaven,” Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer Charlotte Jones Anderson said. “To walk in here with poise, confidence, and affection to inspire others is rare. He’ll take advantage of it.

How Prescott has handled the responsibilities at this early stage of his career seems to set him apart from the group-and-grins and team-mandated events of professional sports. FigҺt, Finish, Faith is his foundation in memory of his mother Peggy, who died of colon cаncer in 2013. The foundation’s funds will bаttle cаncer and support affected families. His postgame press conference on Thursday will be held in a Dak Ties bow tie, another cаncer-related cause he has pushed all season.

Prescott has also worked with the Salvation Army, demonstrating the Cowboys’ brand strength. Jones Anderson claimed the brand has raised over $2.4 billiоn for the Salvation Army in 21 years. Ezekiel Elliott’s plunge into the famous red kettle last season demonstrated that the Christmas season is an annual spectacle.

“What’s so fascinating here is, all the stars are aligned,” Jones Anderson added. “He fills every box needed to harness and rise all of that. He dropped the match like kerosene was dumped on it.”

“It’s a blessing to have this platform,” Prescott said, adding that its reach may be the most intriguing element. “To be able to connect and interact with so many people at this stage in my life. Too many kids and disadvantaged individuals. Many families need aid, love, and a smile. Yes, I accepted. The responsibility is great, but I adore it.””