On August 11, 2017 Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliot learned he would be suspended for the first six games of the 2017 NFL season. The suspension stems from accusations of domestic violence in July 2016 by his girlfriend at the time. The incidents were investigated by the authorities of Columbus, Ohio but no criminal charges were brought against Ezekiel Elliot. The NFL picked up the investigation and put in a great deal of leg work in hopes of coming to an informed conclusion. The NFL formed an independent panel to help get to the bottom of what occurred. The panel was able to speak with the accuser and Ezekiel Elliot’s representatives throughout the 13-month long inquiry. After examining the evidence, which included pictures of the alleged victim’s bruises, text conversations and speaking directly with those involved, the NFL believes the woman was victim to violence brought on by the hands of Zeke Elliot and decided to disqualify him for six games.

The Dallas Cowboys front office, players and fans were beside themselves when they learned of the suspension. After a stellar 2016 season which saw Ezekiel Elliot emerge as a rising star in the league, many believe Dallas is poised for a 2017 Super Bowl run. Unfortunately, with the suspension of last season’s leading rusher, those championship hopes may just be a pipe dream. Taking one of the brightest stars of America’s most popular team off the field without a conviction or formal charges has many people angry with the league office. I believe those backers should reserve that ire for the man who put himself in the middle of all this, Ezekiel Elliot!

I am confident Ezekiel Elliot enjoys all the spoils of being a sports star in America, what young man wouldn’t? But it seems he is ignoring the dregs that same stardom entails. When you are a key contributor for America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys, you have to work diligently to not get caught up in the muck and pitfalls that are out there for an individual of such stature. One would think Elliott would keep his nose clean while under the league’s microscope but quite the contrary.  In March 2017, Elliott was videotaped pulling an unsuspecting woman’s shirt down, exposing her breast. Then in late July, witnesses said Elliot was in a bar fight and allegedly knocked someone out cold and broke the bar patron’s nose. Zeke doesn’t seem to understand that the fame and fortune comes with a price tag. You have to be prepared to miss out on going to the local college dive bar or partaking in frat boy antics. Either you are a star 24/7 or you are not, it’s not a thing of convenience. Can’t be lauded as a gridiron great on Sundays then every other day want to be just one of the guys, that is not how that transaction works. Granted, it isn’t fair but I can’t recall anything in this life that is. This is why on many occasions we have seen celebrities talk about how their fame can be a gift and curse. Rap superstar Jay-Z has a song called ‘Holy Grail’. In the beginning of the song he complains about not being able to walk to the store with his daughter without interruption from fans, but towards the end of the song he has an epiphany and understands that there are people who are going thru immense struggles in life, so if the hardest part of his day is he has to take extra precautions when leaving his home, then life isn’t that bad. Zeke needs to take heed, mature and understand how to navigate accordingly.

Whether the public was aware of this or not, this is the type of stiff penalties they have asked for. The NFL was lambasted for their handling of the Ray Rice domestic issue. Rice was initially suspended two games, then the video of the altercation in the elevator emerged. Fans were emotional at that point, telling anyone who would listen that the penalty was too lenient. The NFL eventually surrendered to the public pressure and suspended Rice indefinitely. With this Elliot case, the NFL wanted to get ahead and minimize public backlash opting to suspend six games, levying one of the most punitive penalties in recent history. I believe their thinking was if they are to face scorn, it will be for being too heavy handed, opting to error on the side of caution this time around.

Former NFL RB Ray Rice

The NFL was also taken to task for what the public believed was a lack of due diligence when it came to investigating the Rice case. The NFL claims to have never seen the complete elevator video until TMZ released it. That had many people scratching their head. They asked how can a billion-dollar company like the NFL, with resources out the wazoo, not be able to get access to video footage? Yet a bunch of TMZ hippies sitting around an office gossiping were able to obtain the tape? The league heard the cries and this time around took the time they felt was necessary. Dallas was definitely not happy about being in limbo for 13 months, waiting to learn their fate but that was of no consequence to the league. The league’s first priority is to protect the shield and its integrity.

Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones…

One alarming thing is the lack of accountability I am hearing from Zeke and all his supporters. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was reported as being “furious” at the NFL for this suspension. Mr. Jones, how about being furious at Mr. Elliott for being in this situation? How about walking up to him and expressing your disappointment in him exposing a woman without her consent while in midst of being investigated for abusing another woman? I know if I were a teammate, Zeke and I would have had that conversation. You mean to tell me we are getting set to compete for a world championship, the opportunity to be legends, to live forever and you want to play juvenile type games and jeopardize our season? To use a military term, that is not someone I would want in my foxhole. That lack of discipline can have catastrophic consequences to a team in any field. His backers are quick to highlight he wasn’t convicted of anything. Stop! I bet those same people are the ones who want to see OJ Simpson behind bars for life. With OJ, you don’t apply the same logic of not being convicted equating to innocence so please exercise that same common sense in this case. Because Zeke wasn’t convicted doesn’t mean he is without fault.

Not to fret Dallas Cowboy lovers, this may save not only Zeke’s career but his life! Elliot seems to be a young man on a dangerous path, buffered by enables who think he can do no wrong, trying to clean up any mess he finds himself in. I already mentioned OJ, maybe had someone stepped in beforehand he wouldn’t have gotten into his troubles. Another individual that was abled by enablers was Aaron Hernandez. His college coach Urban Meyer knew he was a menace way back then. But because he was a good player they did all they could to hide his indiscretions and keep him on the field. That lack of accountability helped create a monster that thought he could shoot people with no consequence. Had someone sat him down earlier in his career, maybe he would still be dominating the football field instead of six feet under. Hopefully this time away will allow Zeke to see how precious his career is and if not treated as such, can all be taken away. Should open the eyes of his inner circle as well. Zeke is set to lose about $330,000 a game while sitting out. After six weeks of the gravy train not pulling into the station, they should all smarten up and realize they need to put him in situations to succeed so he can continue raking in the dough.