The Thanksgiving lights at AT&T Stadium had barely faded when the Dallas Cowboys found themselves at the center of national attention — not just for a dramatic 31-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but for the wave of public apologies pouring toward Dak Prescott. What unfolded on Thursday night was more than a victory; it was a vindication years in the making.

For weeks, critics questioned whether Prescott could still be that guy — the franchise leader capable of carrying a team through adversity. Against Kansas City, he delivered the loudest answer possible. Prescott shredded the Chiefs’ defense for 320 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a poised 100.4 rating, outdueling Patrick Mahomes in a holiday showdown that felt like playoff football.

The Cowboys improved to 6-5-1, but the story stretching across social media was bigger than the standings. A fanbase often split down the middle found itself united in an unexpected way: offering Dak Prescott the one thing NFL quarterbacks rarely receive — a public apology.

“As a fanbase, we owe Dak Prescott an apology,” one Cowboys supporter wrote, sparking a flood of similar posts. Others praised his composure, leadership, and resilience. “I am ready to say that I am a Dak Prescott fan,” another added. Some comments were dramatic, some funny, some deeply sincere — all pointing toward the same truth: Prescott had earned his respect back.

It’s been a long road for the Dallas quarterback. Injuries, skepticism, and high expectations have followed him every season. When the Cowboys stumble, he carries the weight. When they rise, the spotlight often shifts elsewhere. Yet Thursday night reminded millions of what he can still do when the moment requires greatness.

CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens added fuel to the offensive explosion, combining for 200 total receiving yards and a touchdown. But the night belonged to Prescott — not because he was perfect, but because he was unshakably steady while Mahomes and the Chiefs struggled to find rhythm.

ESPN analyst Chase Daniel called Prescott “criminally underrated,” and the numbers backed it up. He completed nearly 70% of his passes, outgained Mahomes through the air, and made clutch throw after clutch throw in a game Dallas absolutely needed to keep playoff hopes alive.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs stunned the league by falling to 6-6, an unfamiliar position in the Mahomes era. Kansas City’s defense had no answer, and their offense found itself playing from behind more often than expected.

In Dallas, though, the tone was different. Optimistic. Emotional. Reawakened.

Thursday’s victory didn’t just move the Cowboys closer to the postseason — it changed the narrative around their quarterback. For years, fans demanded more. On Thanksgiving Day, Dak Prescott gave them everything they asked for. And for the first time in a long time, they responded with gratitude.