Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Says He Didn't Break Texas Lockdown Because He Had 'Fewer Than 10 People' At His House

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has pushed back on reports suggesting he held a party attended by over 30 people on Friday night.

The 26-year-old reportedly hosted a birthday party for a friend at his home in Prosper, Texas, which would have violated the social distancing guidelines the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Texas residents have been told to shelter-in-place during the outbreak and avoid contact with people who don't live in the same household wherever possible.

Pictures of the gathering found their way on TMZ.com and showed Prescott's Cowboys teammate Ezekiel Elliott was among the guests and that the attendees appeared to be gathering far closer than six feet apart. On Tuesday, however, Prescott issued a statement to set the record straight on the party, insisting no more than 10 people were in attendance.

"I understand and accept that there are additional responsibilities and media scrutiny that come with being an NFL quarterback, but it is very frustrating and disappointing when people provide completely inaccurate information from anonymous sources, especially now," he said.

"To set the record straight—I know that we all need to do our best to socially distance and like everyone else, I am continuing to adjust to what that requires, but the truth is that I was with fewer than 10 people for a home dinner—not a party—on Friday night."

Prescott then praised health care workers for their efforts in fighting the pandemic and insisted he was well aware of the need to collectively adhere to the guidelines set by the CDC.

"I am very sensitive to the challenges we are all facing and making sure to support the first responders and medical personnel and everyone else putting in long hours," he continued.

"We are all at a time when we need to keep educating ourselves about the importance of health and isolation during this pandemic and I will continue to make sure to do my part by following the guidelines until we are approved to start returning to normal activities."

Speaking on the same day Prescott issued his statement, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones explained the team had been in touch with the quarterback and Elliott over the reports of the party.

Jones hinted the duo had learned their lesson and were unlikely to find themselves in similar circumstances again.

"I think they're certainly aware now of how sensitive these situations are," the Cowboys executive said on 105.3 The Fan.

"I don't think you'll be seeing that anymore. They're certainly guys we have the utmost respect for and I certainly know they understand the sensitivity of the situation we're in today. It's certainly very serious and something that we know and certainly know they understand."

The gathering at Prescott's house was not the first time he and Elliott have come under scrutiny during the pandemic. Two weeks ago, the duo were criticized after videos of them working out with former teammate Dez Bryant were posted on social media.