'The Waterboy': How Cowboys' Micah Parsons Terrorized Youth Football - VIDEO

Cowboys star Micah Parsons enjoys telling the story of being nicknamed "The Waterboy'' at age 6 because, like Adam Sandler's film character Bobby Boucher, he didn't really know what he was doing ... but he sure liked to hit people.

FRISCO - Micah Parsons has, ever since his arrival in Dallas via the 2021 NFL Draft, talked of wanting to be a ball-carrier. At practice, he still toys with the concept, every once in a while taking a pitchout from quarterback Dak Prescott, every once in a while lining up to return a punt just for fun.

But once upon a time, Parsons - maybe the best defensive players in the league - was the best offensive player in the neighborhood back in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ... while at the same time performing with a hard-hitting style.

Parsons enjoys telling the story of being nicknamed "The Waterboy'' at age 6 because, like Adam Sandler's film character Bobby Boucher, he didn't really know what he was doing ... but he sure liked to hit people.

And by the time he got to high school? The Dallas Cowboys "Lion-backer'' - who has recorded 26.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries in 33 games as a pro as he leads his team into Week 1's "Sunday Night Football'' visit to the New York Giants - was a ball-carrying phenom.

Oh, he played defense, too. But as noted by NFL Films in its promotion of a new "A Football Life,'' "@MicahhParsons11 really scored a touchdown every four carries as a high school rusher.''

A Football Life Origins: Micah Parsons 🦁

The #Cowboys All-Pro, nicknamed the Water Boy, was a running back in high school before becoming a Pro Bowl edge rusher.

Here’s part of the intro to his story now streaming on NFL+ 🤟

(🎥: @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/aUc4WhIuwT

— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) August 30, 2023

In total, Parsons scored 27 touchdowns in his senior year ... and yes, he did that on just 112 touches.

"I always believed I was a running back, and I will stay true to that word my whole life,'' Parsons said. "But being a (pass-)rusher might be the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.''

Indeed, Parsons seems to have found his calling ... but yes, even as a little kid, he jumps off the screen as a ball-carrier.

Parsons, now 24, has demonstrated lightning-fact speed in the NFL for a man his size. (Micah is around 6-3 and 245.) But some of that was evident all along ... though maybe not as evident as his intimidating presence as someone - from youth league to high school - who opponents obviously weren't very excited about having to tackle.