Dak Prescott takes adorable picture with new Mississippi State mascot named after him

Former Mississippi State legend Dak Prescott is one of the most beloved figures in school history. He put up prolific numbers during his career there and the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback never forgets his roots in Starkville, Mississippi. He was even in attendance on Saturday for their baseball game against Ole Miss, when the Bulldogs broke the NCAA all-time attendance record for a college baseball game. The feelings between the University and Prescott are mutual, and MSU even decided to name their bulldog mascot, “Dak”.

Check out the picture of the Cowboys quarterback and the new bulldog named after him. Prescott was also at MSU’s spring game on Saturday.

Dak Prescott attended Mississippi State’s spring game yesterday where they officially named their new bulldog mascot “Dak” https://t.co/dCm3DSMqdD pic.twitter.com/v5HV111Eq4

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 16, 2023

It’s certainly a unique honor that Mississippi State bestowed upon Prescott, but it’s one that he genuinely appreciates.

History and notes about the bulldog named after Prescott

As the 22nd “Bully,” Dak follows a long lineage of Bulldog predecessors that have been revered on campus. While the previous iterations of the dog have resided in fraternities and roamed about campus, recently they’ve come under more supervised caretaking, according to the Mississippi State alumni site about “Bully.”

It notes that “today the official university mascot is housed at the College of Veterinary Medicine when not on duty at State home football games. For all their fierce appearance and reputation, today’s mascot bulldogs are good-natured, friendly animals and favorites with children.”

More history via the Mississippi State alumni association

• The first live bulldog mascot that Mississippi State had at a game was named Ptolemy, according to the alumni site. Head coach Major Ralph Sasse got him from Memphis in 1935 and the Bulldogs beat Alabama, 20-7, shortly thereafter.
• Another bulldog from the same litter as Ptolemy became the first live mascot named “Bully,” becoming Bully I. But Bully I met a tragic fate in 1939 and died after being struck by a campus bus. A funeral procession and days of mourning followed, with Bully I being buried beneath the stands at the football stadium. LIFE magazine covered it.
• Like many live mascots, various Bullys were kidnapped by rival fans over the years. According to the alumni site for Mississippi State, the last instance of a canine kidnapping was in 1974, prior to the Egg Bowl between Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Mississippi State, they note, won the game, 31-13.
• Each Bully is an English Bulldog and is registered with the American Kennel Club

On3’s Andrew Graham also contributed to this article.