Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Aug. 16, 2025.

Dak Prescott wears one of the NFL's most iconic uniforms every time he suits up for the Dallas Cowboys.

That said, there is one key difference between his uniform and that of other members of the Cowboys. The veteran quarterback has a special, exclusive jersey patch on the top left side of his jersey.

The patch is in the shape of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which Prescott won in 2022. The award was renamed in honor of Walter Payton in 1999 and "recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field," per the NFL.

Prescott will be permitted to wear the patch for the duration of his career as the NFL looks to bring more attention to what it considers to be an "esteemed award."

Here's what to know about Prescott's jersey patch and the history of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

What is Dak Prescott's jersey patch?

Prescott is wearing a jersey patch honoring his selection as the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2022.

The jersey patches were created by the NFL in 2017 to bring more awareness to the award, which the league considers its most prestigious. The jersey patches are to be worn by any active player who has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

In 2025, five players will be able to wear the patch. They are as follows:

  • Calais Campbell (2019)
  • Russell Wilson (2020)
  • Dak Prescott (2022)
  • Cameron Heyward (2023)
  • Arik Armstead (2024)

The jersey patch isn't the only uniform modification associated with the Walter Payton Man of the Year. The NFL also presents helmet decals to each of the 32 nominees for the award when they are revealed, which occurs beginning in Week 14, according to the league.

Walter Payton Man of the Year winners by year

Below is a look at every player to win the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, from its first recipient – Johnny Unitas in 1970 – to its most recent winner, Arik Armstead.

  • 1970: Johnny Unitas, QB, Colts
  • 1971: John Hadl, QB, Chargers
  • 1972: Willie Lanier, LB, Chiefs
  • 1973: Len Dawson, QB, Chiefs
  • 1974: George Blanda, QB, Raiders
  • 1975: Ken Anderson, QB, Bengals
  • 1976: Franco Harris, RB, Steelers
  • 1977: Walter Payton, RB, Bears
  • 1978: Roger Staubach, QB, Cowboys
  • 1979: Joe Greene, DT, Steelers
  • 1980: Harold Carmichael, WR, Eagles
  • 1981: Lynn Swann, WR, Steelers
  • 1982: Joe Theismann, QB, Washington
  • 1983: Rolf Benirschke, K, Chargers
  • 1984: Marty Lyons, DT, Jets
  • 1985: Dwight Stephenson, C, Dolphins
  • 1986: Reggie Williams, LB, Bengals
  • 1987: Dave Duerson, S, Bears
  • 1988: Steve Largent, WR, Seahawks
  • 1989: Warren Moon, QB, Oilers
  • 1990: Mike Singletary, LB, Bears
  • 1991: Anthony Munoz, OT, Bengals
  • 1992: John Elway, QB, Broncos
  • 1993: Derrick Thomas, LB, Chiefs
  • 1994: Junior Seau, LB, Chargers
  • 1995: Boomer Esiason, QB, Jets
  • 1996: Darrell Green, CB, Washington
  • 1997: Troy Aikman, QB, Cowboys
  • 1998: Dan Marino, QB, Dolphins
  • 1999: Cris Carter, WR, Vikings
  • 2000: Derrick Brooks, LB, Buccaneers and Jim Flanigan, DT, Bears
  • 2001: Jerome Bettis, RB, Steelers
  • 2002: Troy Vincent, CB, Eagles
  • 2003: Will Shields, G, Chiefs
  • 2004: Warrick Dunn, RB, Falcons
  • 2005: Peyton Manning, QB, Colts
  • 2006: Drew Brees, QB Saints and LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers
  • 2007: Jason Taylor, DE, Dolphins
  • 2008: Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals
  • 2009: Brian Waters, G, Chiefs
  • 2010: Madieu Williams, S, Vikings
  • 2011: Matt Birk, C, Ravens
  • 2012: Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys
  • 2013: Charles Tillman, CB, Bears
  • 2014: Thomas Davis Sr., LB, Panthers
  • 2015: Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers
  • 2016: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals and Eli Manning, QB, Giants
  • 2017: J.J. Watt, DE, Texans
  • 2018: Chris Long, DE, Eagles
  • 2019: Calais Campbell, DE, Jaguars
  • 2020: Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
  • 2021: Andrew Whitworth, OT, Rams
  • 2022: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
  • 2023: Cam Heyward, DT, Steelers
  • 2024: Arik Armstead, DL, Jaguars

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Dak Prescott's jersey patch? Walter Payton Man of the Year award, explained

Reporting by Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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