The Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott has been suspended for the first six games of the season.
The NFL suspended Elliott for a violation of its personal conduct policy and apparently it could be worse if Elliott fails to correct his behavior. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Elliott could face "potential banishment" if he commits "any additional violations."
If Zeke Elliott has “any additional violations” of @NFL policy it “may result in your suspension or potential banishment,” Elliott was told
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 11, 2017
The suspension comes after the NFL conducted an investigation of allegations that Elliott committed acts of domestic violence in July 2016. Elliott's live-in girlfriend reported multiple instances of domestic violence to police in Columbus, Ohio. Authorities in Columbus did not press charges because of "conflicting and inconsistent information."
In the NFL's statement on the suspension, the league said it spoke to more than a dozen witnesses, including the alleged victim, Tiffany Thompson, and Elliott. The NFL also consulted with medical experts and reviewed pictures and thousands of texts messages.
The NFL sent Elliott a six-page letter notifying him of the suspension. "The credible evidence establishes that on multiple occasions during the week of July 16, 2016, you used physical force against Ms. Thompson resulting in injury," the letter states before detailing multiple instances.
The prolonged investigation and heavier suspension comes after the NFL was widely criticized for the lighter approaches taken to Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice in 2014 and New York Giants kicker Josh Brown in 2016.
Elliott's attorney has already criticized the suspension, saying the NFL "'cherry picks' so called evidence to support its conclusion." Before he read the decision, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith criticized the length of the investigation.
The length is inconsequential. The NFL handling this as the league proclaimed it would matters. The NFL failed in the past. They adopted a new personal conduct policy and ran the ads about saying, "No more" to domestic violence, but it didn't seem to make a difference. The suspension of Elliott lends credence to the NFL's promise to take action in this arena. Anything less would have been laughable.
For Elliott, this could be a loud and necessary wake up call. Since entering the NFL as the 4th overall pick in 2016, he has found trouble off the field, while excelling on it. He led the league in rushing as a rookie and bolstered a surprisingly successful Dallas season which saw the Cowboys win the NFC East. He also made a visit to a marijuana shop in Seattle, which bothered Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. He was recorded pulling a woman's shirt down to expose her breast during a St. Patrick's Day parade. He received a speeding ticket, which he is appealing, for going 100 mph in a 70 mph zone. He was reported to be involved in an assault of a DJ at a Dallas bar, but that went away after no witnesses came forward and there was no video evidence of the incident.
Adam Schefter of ESPN has reported that Elliott will appeal the suspension. If it stands, the running back will lose money. According to reporting from ESPN: "In addition to losing his base-salary pay, the guarantees in Elliott's $24.956 million deal will be voided. He received a signing bonus of $16.350 million and got the final deferred installment of the bonus in March. Once he misses games, he will have to pay back some of the signing-bonus money. For each game missed, Elliott will have to repay about $240,000.
Elliott's base salaries for 2017 to 2019 are worth $1.584 million, $2.718 million and $3.853 million, respectively. He would still receive those amounts for as long as he is on the roster, but they would no longer be guaranteed if he suffered an injury that would end his career."
Elliott has three days to appeal the decision. As of now, his suspension begins September 2. He can return on Monday, October 23 as Dallas readies to play at Washington the following Sunday.
The NFL's Full Statement On The Suspension:
Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys was notified today by the NFL that he will be suspended without pay for the team's first six 2017 regular-season games for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy.
Over the course of the last year, the league conducted an extensive investigation. League investigators interviewed more than a dozen witnesses, including Ms. Tiffany Thompson, who had alleged multiple instances of physical violence in July 2016, and Mr. Elliott. The league also consulted with medical experts. League investigators examined all available evidence, including photographic and digital evidence, thousands of text messages and other records of electronic communications.
Pursuant to the Personal Conduct Policy, Commissioner Goodell sought the views of four external advisors (see below) to assist him in evaluating potential violations. These experts range in experience from law enforcement, judicial and public service, and other specialized subject areas.
The advisors participated in a meeting on June 26, 2017 in New York City with Elliott, who was represented by his legal team and the NFL Players Association. The group also reviewed the league's investigative reports and materials, the expert medical reports, and multiple NFL Players Association submissions on Elliott's behalf.
In a letter to Elliott advising him of the decision, Todd Jones, the NFL's Special Counsel for Conduct, said these advisors "were of the view that there is substantial and persuasive evidence supporting a finding that [Elliott] engaged in physical violence against Ms. Thompson on multiple occasions during the week of July 16, 2016."
After reviewing the record, and having considered the views of the independent advisors, the commissioner determined that the credible evidence established that Elliott engaged in conduct that violated NFL policy.
Elliott may appeal this decision within three days. If he does not appeal, Elliott's suspension will begin September 2, the day of final roster reductions for NFL teams. He is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. Elliott will be eligible to return to the team's active roster on Monday, October 23 following the Cowboys' Sunday, October 22 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
MEMBERS OF THE EXTERNAL EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL
PETER HARVEY, Esq., former Attorney General for the State of New Jersey.
KEN HOUSTON, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who played in 14 seasons in the NFL.
TONYA LOVELACE, MA, Chief Executive Officer of The Women of Color Network, Inc.
MARY JO WHITE, Esq., former United States attorney and former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
