Ezekiel Elliott's Rise and Controversy with the Dallas Cowboys

The Rise of Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys have a long and storied history as one of the most successful franchises in the NFL. Their five Super Bowl victories tie them with the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots for second most all-time. A huge part of their recent success has been running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Nicknamed "Zeke," Elliott was drafted by the Cowboys 4th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He made an immediate impact his rookie season, leading the league in rushing with 1,631 yards along with 15 touchdowns. His efforts helped Dallas finish with a 13-3 record, earning them the #1 seed in the NFC.

Ezekiel Elliott's Dominant Style

At 6'0" and 228 lbs, Ezekiel Elliott possesses an ideal blend of power, speed and elusiveness for an NFL running back. He runs with determination and is always fighting for extra yards after contact. Elliott has superb vision and patience in finding running lanes behind Dallas' talented offensive line.

In addition to racking up yards on the ground, Elliott is also a weapon catching passes out of the backfield. He hauled in 77 receptions over his first three seasons, showcasing soft hands and run after catch ability. This dual-threat skillset makes him nearly impossible for defenses to fully contain.

Immediate Postseason Success

Not only did Elliott find great individual success as a rookie, but he helped lead the Cowboys back to the postseason after a one-year absence. Dallas defeated the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card round before falling to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round.

In 2018, Elliott played a key role in securing his second career playoff berth. He churned out 1,434 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns during the regular season. The Cowboys went on to defeat the Seattle Seahawks before narrowly losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.

Off-Field Controversy and Suspension

Unfortunately for Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys, his story also contains some controversial moments off the field. In July of 2016, mere weeks after being drafted, Elliott was questioned by Columbus, Ohio police for an alleged domestic violence incident involving a former girlfriend.

Elliott was not arrested or charged with any crime. However, the NFL conducted a year-long investigation into the allegations. Prior to the 2017 season, commissioner Roger Goodell handed Elliott a six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Legal Battle with the NFL

Elliott and the NFL Players Association immediately filed an appeal against the suspension in federal court. This led to a complex legal situation featuring multiple lawsuits and injunctions over the next few months. Elliott was granted temporary restraining orders enabling him to continue playing.

After denied injunctions in November, Elliott ultimately began serving his six-game suspension in Week 10. He returned in time for the Cowboys' final two regular season games, finishing the year with 983 rushing yards in 10 games.

Bouncing Back in 2018

The following season, Elliott put the controversy behind him and returned to his dominant ways. He led the league in rushing once again with 1,434 yards and looked as explosive and elusive as ever. The suspension and off-field issues seemed firmly in his rearview mirror.

The Future in Dallas

Heading into 2019 at just 24 years old, Elliott remains an integral part of the Cowboys' quest to win another Super Bowl. With the prime of his career ahead of him, he has the opportunity to go down as one of the greatest running backs in franchise history.

From this point forward, Cowboys fans hope Elliott can avoid further off-field troubles and the accompanying headlines. But regardless of what the future may hold, his electrifying play and immediate impact upon entering the league will be remembered forever.

FAQs

When was Ezekiel Elliott drafted by the Dallas Cowboys?

Elliott was drafted by the Cowboys with the 4th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

What are some of Ezekiel Elliott's accomplishments with Dallas?

In his first three seasons, Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards two times (2016, 2018). He has made the Pro Bowl twice (2016, 2018) and was First Team All-Pro in 2016.

How many rushing yards did Elliott have as a rookie?

In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a league leading 1,631 yards, which was the third most ever by a rookie.

Why was Elliott suspended in 2017?

He received a six-game suspension from the NFL for violating the personal conduct policy after allegations of domestic violence from an ex-girlfriend.

Is Elliott expected to remain with the Cowboys moving forward?

Yes, Elliott just turned 24 years old and remains a focal point of Dallas' offense, so he should have many more highly productive seasons ahead.