ARLINGTON - Rookie receiver Michael Gallup wrote on Twitter on Tuesday about the the outpouring of support he's received since the weekend death of his brother, saying, "I want to thank my teammates, the Cowboys family, friends and fans for their love and support. It means so much that y’all are here for me and my family during this time.''

On Thursday, after Dallas' 31-23 win over the visiting Washington Redskins here at AT&T Stadium, Gallup felt the love in person.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, in addressing the media following a victory that puts 6-5 Dallas in the driver's seat in the NFC East race, hinted at what had just occurred behind closed doors when he said, “I’m sure proud of these guys. You would’ve been too if you’d seen them and what they did with Michael Gallup.”

What did Cowboys teammates do? They presented the mourning Gallup with the game ball.

It's been a week of tragedy and then of hopefully meaningful gestures for the Gallup family, which is memorializing the passing of Andrew Gallup with an educational scholarship fund. From the website:

Andrew Gallup went to be with the Lord, November 17, 2018. In loving memory of "Andy," the Gallup family set up an African Children's Scholarship Fund to honor his love of learning.

Andy was born November 10, 1995 in the Republic of Sierra Leone, West Africa. At that time, the country of Sierra Leone was in the midst of civil war, and Andy was one of many children left orphaned by sickness and war devastation. Five years later, Andy and his big brother, Raymond, were adopted into the Gallup family in January 2000. They grew up in a happy home in Georgia with six other siblings.

Andy's "thing," as he liked to put it, was Academics. He had a passion for learning and was only two semesters away from his degree in Health Science.

Because so many children in Africa have little or no opportunity for education, the family knows Andy would be overjoyed that this Memorial Fund gives many a chance for a quality education and personal growth.

Michael Gallup was back at The Star on Wednesday morning to be a part of the Cowboys' return to business, and he was essentially a starter in this game. He was targeted six times -- a clear indication of his involvement in the game plan, despite a lack of practice time -- and caught two of QB Dak Prescott's passes, for 19 yards. The big numbers at receiver here were reserved for wide receiver room mate Amari Cooper, who helped justify the trade deadline swap with the Oakland Raiders by contributing a stellar eight catches for 180 yards and two scores, from 90 and 40 yards out.

“I don’t want to prove the Raiders wrong,” Cooper said. “I just want to prove the Cowboys right.”

Cooper might've gotten a game ball on a normal day. Or maybe you give it to running back Ezekiel Elliott, who ground out a 26-carry, 121-yard rushing day with two TDs (oh, and five pass receptions, too). Heck, an assortment of defensive players would've been worthy, too, as the Cowboys D recorded a trio of sacks and a trio of interceptions as well. Indeed, once the Cowboys reconvene at The Star for preparation for next Thursday's visit from the New Orleans Saints, coach Jason Garrett may hand out T-shirts and more game balls and his traditional boxing gloves and championship belt to some other guys.

But Gallup is the guy here, after a short week during which he only practiced once ... that was at the same time maybe the longest week of his life.

Said Dak: "He received the game ball. To go through the tragedy and get ready for this game shows the character of him. It shows the man he is. ... H is playing for his brother, living for his brother. .. I'm so proud of him.''

Gallup will now fly to Georgia to be with his large, mostly adopted family, to attend Andrew's funeral and to gather his thoughts. He'll do so, according to Jones, courtesy of some travel help from the Jones family.

Thankful. ... and the beneficiary of love in the Cowboys locker room.