We have all heard about Ezekiel Elliot’s recent suspension from the Cowboys after the alleged abuse of his ex-girlfriend. Some fans think a six game suspension is outrageous for the rookie. Maybe they think Elliot’s ex-girlfriend is lying. Elliot alleges the same. But who is to say she is or isn’t? The fact of the matter is that after Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and other domestic violence cases in the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell has had enough. Since implementing the new Player Policy, the NFL vowed to take these types of cases with strict scrutiny. And why shouldn’t they?
Domestic violence is one of the most intimate crimes that can occur. It is drowned in “He said, she said” banter, filled with emotional turmoil, and replete with intimate, personal, and familial struggles. It is no wonder that everything must seem like it is put on hold while these issues are ironed out.
The perception of Elliot is that this case makes him look like he is the bad guy. Although Elliot is apologetic for the amount of distraction and disruption that all of this has caused his family, friends, teammates, and the Dallas Cowboys organization, he will still appeal the accusation and fight against the threat of this attention ruining his career.
His teammates feel the same way, but they have to play strong regardless. They are shocked at the NFL’s decision to suspend him for 2 months of the season. It impacts the team and puts extra pressure on the rest of the offensive line. Despite the extra strain on Elliot, his team, and his fan base, the decision of the NFL to take stricter precautions in domestic violence is a prudent step toward taking future allegations seriously and holding players accountable.
Edited by Leigh Ann Skaggs
