'I wouldn't be standing here without Dak Prescott': The Cowboys superfan followed his hero's footsteps during NFL Draft

Eduardo, whose many solutions to regain his voice may or may not have included taking a shot of whiskey, practiced his message over and over in front of the mirror the night before. But he didn't know that such a strong message would come out of his mouth until he was on stage.

"To be honest, at the time, I never thought I would reach so many people and that what I said would go so viral," Eduardo confesses. "Talking to people from the Cowboys, I told them that Dak Prescott takes advantage of his platforms, the popularity he has as the Cowboys quarterback, to address those 'taboo' topics that exist in our society today."

Inspired by the player he describes as his hero, Eduardo's instinct was not to waste the platform he had this time holding the Cowboys' seventh-round selection in his hands.

"Originally, it wasn't planned in the speech," Flores reveals. "But I said, if I'm already up here representing the Cowboys, I have to do something about it. I'm not just doing this for myself, I'm doing this for anyone who might need my help, for anyone who might need these words, and if Dak Prescott did it, why shouldn't I do it for the rest of the people?"

After the loss of his father, who instilled in him his love for the Cowboys and with whom he went to see them play at the AT&T Stadium on multiple occasions, Eduardo "credits Dak for not only giving him the strength to overcome the loss of his father, but also learning how recognize signs of struggle in others and effective ways in which he can provide help," as described in his International Fan of the Year profile on the official NFL website.

Prescott, just as Eduardo did for many people by delivering his message during the Draft, inspired that in him solely by his example.

"It's just seeing him, knowing a bit of his story, not just one, Prescott has faced so many adversities throughout his life, yet he remains a good person who always has a smile, trying to help others (...) He does his job excellently and also takes the time with all his foundations that he has, (...) besides channeling it all into something that can change the world."

The impact of Eduardo's words reached such magnitude that Prescott himself was moved.

"It was super special," Prescott said via Patrik Walker. "That was one of those moments that hits you. I got it from my brother, Tad. To get it from him saying, ‘Look at the impact you have."

“(Eduardo and I) will connect, added the Cowboys quarterback. "That was a huge moment. I put a lot of pride into that — devoting my time and sharing my story to inspire others and give hope."

Flores revealed that Prescott had prepared a video for Eduardo prior to the NFL Draft congratulating him on being the Cowboys' International Fan of the Year. But the words from that Saturday must have caught the quarterback by surprise, as he didn't know Eduardo's full story.

"Maybe Dak didn't know at that moment everything that it meant to me or how he had helped me," Eduardo said. "They are a few words that can be expressed, and even so, I wouldn't be able to tell you everything that went through my mind, how I saw Dak, how he helped me, the mindset I adopted because of him. I don't think he will ever know everything that it meant to me, but if I can give back to the world a little of what he did for me, of course, that is the best way to say, it really helps me and I want to be of the greatest help to others."

Eduardo was not only recognized as the Dallas Cowboys International Fan of the Year, but as the "Ultimate" fan among the 32 individuals selected around the league. When asked why he believed he had been selected as such a winner by the NFL, his response was honest:

"I have worked hard to be the person I am and the fan I am," Eduardo explains. "I was a football player practically the first years of my life, everything I am I owe to football, my college degree, the experiences as a person, everything I owe to football. I think that has been my lifestyle and I have always said that I want to give back to life a little of what it has given me."

In addition, Eduardo has made an effort to grow the NFL's reach in Mexico and Spanish-speaking countries through his Facebook page "Cowboys Nation MX" and other platforms covering the league.

But ultimately, it is clear that Eduardo received such an honor because of the quality of person he is and his genuine desire to help others, like sending this message to all those who have struggled or are struggling with mental health issues:

"My message is that you are not alone. Often when those thoughts come, it's really 'I'm alone, people would be better off without me, life would be better without me, I'm worthless' are some thoughts that crossed my mind, thoughts that are very common. But really when you start to think about the details, when you start to appreciate what you have around you, you realize that everyone has something to contribute to their society, to their environment. You are not alone, there are many people who love you and who would even give their lives for you. There are many people who are there to listen to you, not even to advise you. Just the fact that 'here is my shoulder.'

"Just find that first step to approach someone and truly realize that none of us are alone."