Ezekiel Elliott added another page to what seems to be a never-ending chapter of NFL players running into trouble with the law.
On Sunday at around 3:00 a.m. EST, Elliot found himself in handcuffs after attending the EDC music festival in Las Vegas with his girlfriend. This marks the second offseason in three years in which Elliot, 23, has generated headlines negatively reflecting his character, as in 2017 he served a six-game suspension after violating the league’s personal conduct policy due to allegations claiming the rushing champ physically abused his ex-girlfriend.
Just prior to Elliot’s run-in with authorities, Elliot was seen arguing with his girlfriend, while simultaneously blocking her with his body to stop her from walking away. After a security guard intervened Elliot shouted, “You got something to say?” directly in the guard’s face before knocking him down into the ground with his forearm. Elliot can be seen during the incident sporting a yellow Lakers jersey in a TMZ released video. The two-time Pro-Bowler was quickly handcuffed after the incident and moved away from the scene.
Much to the relief of Cowboys fans and fantasy football players across the country, Elliot won’t face any charges, as the security guard which Elliot forcefully introduced to the pavement neglected to press charges. Elliot’s lawyer Frank Salzano defended his client regarding the incident as he stated, “Security misconstrued and overreacted to the situation.” Salzano went on to confirm that an arrest was never made as he stated, “He was cuffed as a precautionary measure. He was released with no charges.”
30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW
Despite Elliot’s ability to avoid punishment on the law’s behalf, a decision from the NFL and Commissioner Rodger Goodell has yet to be made as to how they will move forward following the event. Elliot could miss games once again for the Cowboys this coming season, hurting both his bank account and team.
Despite the police’s disposal of the case, the NFL possesses the ability to deal out its own punishments, which we’ve seen it do despite an absence of lawful punishment. If suspended again, Elliot’s nonattendance could harm the Cowboys and their production this season. Elliot proved his vitality to his team last year as he led the league in carries, tallying up 304, which remains 16% more carries ahead of running–backs who carried the ball second-most behind Elliot. The star ball-carrier also found the end–zone six times, as he helped the Cowboys advance into the divisional round of the playoffs.
