Texas is among the 45 states with a statewide stay-at-home (or similar) order to limit the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
In particular, Texas’ restrictions encourage social distancing and prohibit gatherings of 10 or more people. But the actual enforcement of those rules has varied from state-to-state. And according to a report from TMZ, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott skirted those rules with a large party this weekend at Prescott’s house in Prosper, Texas.
The TMZ report — which included video and photos — claimed that at least 30 guests were at Prescott’s house for a birthday party on Friday night. Though the number of people in attendance wasn’t clear from the photos, you could see that social-distancing rules were not being followed.
Cowboys Dak Prescott, Zeke Elliott Party with Friends, Violate TX Quarantine https://t.co/fIs5f9KmdI
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 11, 2020
According to star-telegram.com, Prosper Police responded to reports of the party on Friday, but the officers could not verify that CDC guidelines were being violated. The paper also quoted a Prescott source who denied that the Cowboys quarterback violated social-distancing rules.
Still, this party came less than two weeks after Prescott was seen working out (and not social distancing) with Dez Bryant.
@dak lance Fred .. we got great work in today pic.twitter.com/JUIgLbjicI
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 2, 2020
And the nonchalant attitude shown by Prescott in the wake of a global health crisis had plenty of fans upset.
Do Dak and Zeke think they are virus-proof? That covid-19 is a Cowboys fan? This is so unnecessarily careless.
Pandemic be damned, Dak Prescott hosts a party for 30 – ProFootballTalk https://t.co/bsklOm9dE9
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) April 11, 2020
Do Dak Prescott and Zeke not care about other people’s lives???! It’s very selfish for them to be throwing a party during this time. pic.twitter.com/aTNnBzNpev
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) April 11, 2020
My disgust with the Dallas Cowboys grows by the day, even during a pandemic. Dak Prescott held a party for 30 on Friday night, with no virus safeguards. His — and his teammates’ — sense of entitlement is nauseating.
— Angelo Cataldi (@AngeloCataldi) April 12, 2020
dAk iS a grEAt leADeR https://t.co/NzpsLRlT9F
— Dave Petroziello (@dpetr12676) April 12, 2020
The Cowboys should pretend it's the playoffs and #StayHome https://t.co/8iALaQoIoo
— Bogie Lowenstien (@ljlyons) April 11, 2020
This affects everybody….smfh https://t.co/c4ylNDlLLD
— Socially Deestanced⚜⚜ (@SaintsSoulja) April 11, 2020
You want a vacated NFL season?
Cuz this is how you get a vacated NFL season. https://t.co/D0HMstqzjD— Collin McCollough (@cmccollo) April 12, 2020
As a Cowboys fanatic I’m disgusted with Dak Prescott and Zeke. Party on morons.
— WPGJets Fan (@WPGJetsFan61) April 12, 2020
Dak, you're an embarrassment. Other NFL QB's doing "Stay at home" and "Be safe" messages and you're having parties? Don't pay him Jerry……#AvgDak #Cowboys
— TheKid (@Proud_MOT) April 11, 2020
So at @dak bday party, did everyone stand in a different room?
He says they followed social distancing guidlines.
— I remember stuff (@whocareseracohw) April 12, 2020
Twitter is gonna kill Dak & Zeek when they find out Dak throwing house parties during this time 😂
— brookegiles (@brookegiles) April 12, 2020
So sad and irresponsible to fans, communities, and most importantly,our health care workers who want to come home and be safe with their families..
— McKenney (@Onlytrufan) April 11, 2020
And it's not even about them. If even one person at that party was a carrier, the party itself is likely to be responsible for killing people. It's such an indictment on their intelligence.
— Brad Gagnon (@Brad_Gagnon) April 12, 2020
This really confuses me, does he not realize that he's putting his entire career at risk? And what kind of example is he setting for Cowboys and NFL fans in general?
— Mark Wood (@browns_brewer) April 11, 2020
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