Years after Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott debuted his signature pregame warmup during a 2019 game, the routine has made its way to the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. 

The Spurs were filmed imitating Prescott’s viral pregame hip warmup, known as the ‘Dak Dance'. They were performing this warmup in the tunnel before Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Prescott explained the purpose of the movement to ESPN in 2019.

"It's about your rotation," Prescott said to ESPN. "It's the disassociation of your left shoulder from your front hip. My front hip goes, and I can hold my shoulder. When I bring my back hip, the right [shoulder] then comes. That's all it is. It's pretty much like a rubber band, I guess."

The Spurs lined up in a football formation, where forward guard Keldon Johnson took an imaginary snap, dropped for a pass, and began the Prescott warmup, and soon, other players followed it.

The biomechanical warmup is designed to activate the core, helping the quarterbacks generate more throwing power.

Prescott learned the movement from Tom House, a former MLB pitcher who later taught it to former QB Drew Brees, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

While House calls it ‘Step and Torque’, several NFL QBs, including Tom Brady, have done this as a warmup for over a decade, according to Morgan Moriarty of SB Nation. 

“When you watch Dak doing it, the shoulder goes back while the hips go forward,” says House, per The Athletic. He explained that the idea is to prepare the muscles and nervous system to handle real throwing movements once the body is warmed up.

Prescott’s growing impact beyond football recently earned him another milestone, becoming the first Cowboys player to win the PFWA 'Good Guy' award. 

Prescott Adds “Good Guy” Honor to His Legacy

The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) honored the quarterback for his professional approach to the media. The 'Good Guy' honor is presented annually to an NFL player for their professional qualities and style in helping the pro football writers do their jobs.

Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins, who is also the PFWA vice president for the Dallas chapter and the former PFWA president, praised Prescott’s understanding of the reporter's job.

“Dak Prescott is one of the more accessible star players in the NFL,” Watkins said. “ He talks once a week during the season and, of course, after every game…Dak explains the game to you from a game plan standpoint and reviews certain plays if you ask. The trust he has with the beat writers is respected on both sides.”

He is the first Cowboys player and the 22nd NFL player to win the 'Good Guy' award since its induction in 2005. In 2025, Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive end Brandon Graham won that award.

Prescott won the award over the finalists, being Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio and Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard III.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Rudra Dubey