FRISCO, Texas — Even before a number of high-profile athletes were targeted by robberies over the past few months, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott took security seriously.
“I can’t have it be written about every which way that I go to protect my security because then I’ll just be opening a loophole, but I’ve always understood who I was or where I was, especially being the quarterback of this team and targeted that I am, whether it be for a natural robbery or whether it be for losing a game and whatever,” Prescott said. “I’ve understood the position that I am in. So, for me it’s more about the day and now protecting my fiancée and my daughter.”
The FBI recently warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes following a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent NFL and NBA players. The athletes’ homes are targeted due to the perception they might contain high-end goods such as designer handbags, jewelry, watches and cash, the FBI said in a liaison information report obtained by ABC News.
The NFL and NBA issued security alerts to their players after the break-ins, some of which occurred when players were away with their teams for road games. The NFL’s alert says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks had his home burglarized last week. Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Jason Kelce, Bobby Portis and Mike Conley have also been victims.
On Dec. 26, Prescott’s fiancée, Sarah Jane Ramos, had property valued at close to $40,000 stolen from her car, including designer handbags, wallets, computer software. A Dallas Police Department report said Ramo, “forgot to lock her door,” according to WFAA-TV.
“I don’t want to tie that in, and I don’t want anybody to tie that in with other things that have been happening,” Prescott said. “I mean her car got broken into at Pilates in Dallas. Who knows how many times that happens a day? So that’s that. But as far as the other — protecting the home and that — yeah, I’m going to take every step necessary that I can to ensure the safety and that doesn’t happen to me.”
Prescott said it is one of the downsides to fame.
“I mean not everything that comes with it is great, right? You weigh the good with the bad,” he said. “You understand that, as I said, who we are, what we’re subject to, that others can look up and just see how much we make or maybe an address, and that puts us subject to a target. As I said for me and for my teammates, I think for anybody across the league, or anybody of celebrity status, I guess you could say, it’s unfortunate but, yeah, we have to take and do what’s necessary to protect us and our family.
