Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach knows Dak Prescott's pain.
Staubach, who is partnering with USAA's Salute to Service campaign on Veterans Day, called Prescott after the Cowboys quarterback suffered a fracture and dislocation in his right ankle on Oct. 10.
The two-time Super Bowl champion offered words of encouragement for Prescott.
"I called him and told him in '72 I separated my shoulder," Staubach told Sporting News. "It was actually in the last exhibition game, and we had won the Super Bowl the year before. I tried to run over (former Rams linebacker) Marlin McKeever. He rammed his helmet into my shoulder. I missed almost the whole season."
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Staubach's injury happened in his fourth season, and he returned to lead the Cowboys to three more Super Bowl appearances over the next seven seasons.
"I can still throw, by the way," Staubach said. "I play in a few touch games."
Staubach believes Prescott, who saw his fifth season end prematurely, can make a similar comeback with the Cowboys in 2021.
"It seemed like a lifetime back then, but it does go fast and you'll be back in action," Staubach said. "He immediately said, 'I'm going to get better, and I've got a long career ahead of me.' I said, 'You're right.'"
Prescott is 42-27 as a starter, but the Cowboys were unable to agree to a deal with him this offseason. He will be an unrestricted free agent if no deal is reached after the season.
That has prompted rumors that Dallas (2-7) might pursue a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft — perhaps Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dismissed that notion on a local radio appearance Tuesday by saying, "Dak is our quarterback."
Staubach supports that decision, too.
"The financial part of it is a little bit complicated, and I'm not in the middle of it," Staubach said. "I just hope they don't lose Dak for that reason. I think he's an outstanding quarterback. … I just like the way he plays, and I read the things from the players and they think the world of him as a leader. I'm sure he'll recover nicely."
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Staubach said the key will be building a team around Prescott. Staubach watched Sunday’s 24-19 loss to the rival Steelers — a team he faced twice in the Super Bowl — and saw an improved defense. That, as much as Prescott’s recovery, could be the key in building a team that can get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995.
"When we had those years in the '70s, we did have a really good offense, but, man, we had a good defense too and we played together," Staubach said. "I don't know what's going on right now, if they miss Dak on offense. The Steeler game did show this could be a really good football team."
Staubach believes Prescott will be a part of it.
"I know Dak wants to win games," Staubach said. "I definitely hope he stays with the Cowboys."
Staubach, who graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1965 and served in the Vietnam War, celebrated USAA's Salute to Service Sweepstakes on Veterans Day. Military members and veterans can enter at SaluteToService.com for a chance to win one of five "Ultimate Fan Cave" grand prizes, which includes a virtual experience with an NFL player.
"They do a great job every day, but Veterans Day is a big deal," Staubach said. "I think most people appreciate the military, and the military appreciates them. I'm thankful I had a chance to spend at least four years in the service. I definitely would have stayed in the service if I didn't have a chance to play for the Dallas Cowboys."
