Ezekiel Elliott fought the NFL and the league won
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott throws up the white flag and is giving up his fight against the NFL. He’ll serve the full six-game suspension.
When the NFL levied a six-game suspension for suspected domestic violence on Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott prior to the start of the season, the league’s leading rusher vowed to fight the league and prove his innocence. Heading into Week 11, Elliott has now decided to give up that fight.
Court litigation had kept Elliott on the field through the Cowboys first eight games of the season. But the recent decision by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to deny his request for an injunction that could have allowed him to play all year forced Zeke to miss his first game of the season, last weekend’s blowout loss the Atlanta Falcons.
With his legal options limited, Elliott has now decided to serve the full six-game suspension, keeping him sidelined until the Cowboys’ Christmas Eve matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. And at the end of the day, his absence could cost Dallas any chance of making the playoffs.
This is a major win for the NFL. And they know it …
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Ezekiel Elliott dropping his legal fight: "His decision speaks for itself."
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 15, 2017
Curiously, it seems Elliott could have waited to make this announcement until he better knew the postseason fate of the Cowboys. Because his next chance to appeal was delayed until December 1st, the 22-year old would be forced to miss the next three games anyway. And there was a slim chance Elliott could have gotten the suspension reduced from six games to the four he’d already served by that time.
By announcing his intent to serve the six games now, without appeal, Elliott is betting the Cowboys will need him for a deep playoff run this season. Unfortunately, after Dallas struggled mightily against the Falcons in Week 10, the chances of his team making the postseason are looking thin.
The NFLPA could’ve fought on without Ezekiel Elliott, but won’t. Union says it’s withdrawing its lawsuit. Also rips “awful” disciplinary system and NFL Management Council for not intervening. pic.twitter.com/VtpEh7WLwv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 16, 2017
Next: Dallas Cowboys - 2019 Super Bowl champions!
At the end of the day, Ezekiel Elliott tried to fight the NFL … and the league won. Whether he’s guilty or innocent, Zeke has decided to give up that fight and serve his time. And the Dallas Cowboys, along with their fans, will suffer because of it.