The impact of this Cowboys defender goes beyond the gridiron
Accolades have been passed out to the Dallas Cowboys lately like a shelter giving away Thanksgiving Turkeys. On Friday, linebacker Micah Parsons, wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, and right guard Zack Martin were named All-Pros. Also, four other players including these three were named Pro Bowlers last month. Just before the weekend commenced, another Cowboys player […]
Accolades have been passed out to the Dallas Cowboys lately like a shelter giving away Thanksgiving Turkeys. On Friday, linebacker Micah Parsons, wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, and right guard Zack Martin were named All-Pros. Also, four other players including these three were named Pro Bowlers last month.
Just before the weekend commenced, another Cowboys player was recognized, but uniquely. Safety Jayron Kearse, who signed a two-year deal in the offseason, was named the Cowboys recipient of the Good Guy Award given by the Dallas Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America to the player who is consistent in cooperation with the media.
Kearse joins some elite company with this particular honor. Past winners for the Cowboys include Jason Witten (2012), Dez Bryant (2013), Dak Prescott (2017, 2019), Ezekiel Elliott (2020), and the aforementioned Parsons (2021).
It's been an up-and-down year for the Cowboys' defense and for Kearse himself who missed three games due to leg, shoulder, and back issues. However, Kearse provided insight into how victories came about and pointed out the flaws in the team when they lost, which is what leaders do.
Kearse has been a leader from the moment he came to the Cowboys. In 2021, he gained the trust of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn enough to be giving the green dot to make the calls for the unit around midseason, a responsibility that Parsons had previously.
The play of Kearse has been invaluable with his availability to cover tight ends as well as wide receivers and give support against the run in the Cowboys' Big Nickel package that plays three safeties. Kearse has totaled 178 tackles, three interceptions, 15 passes defended, three sacks, and three fumble recoveries in two seasons with the Cowboys.
So, it's clear to see that Kearse doesn't just talk the talk but he walks the walk as well.
Kearse was vocal about one particular thing this week. The Cowboys take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday in the first round of the playoffs, who are led by quarterback Tom Brady, who is undefeated against Dallas for his career (7-0). However, when asked if that mattered in this matchup, Kearse gave an answer that all Cowboys fans would want to hear.
“It’s 2023. He ain’t beat us this year," said Kearse. "That’s all we’re worried about.”
A leader both on and off the field. That's the perfect way to describe what Kearse means to the Cowboys.
Feature image via Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
