Ezekiel Elliott

At 28 years old, Ezekiel Elliott has this physical status:

Ezekiel Elliott (born July 22, 1995) is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football at Ohio State University, where he earned second-team All-America recognition in 2015.

He was drafted by the Cowboys as the fourth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.

He led the league in rushing yards and was invited to the Pro Bowl in his first NFL season.

Early life

Elliott was born in Alton, Illinois, to a mother and father who were both active in college. Dawn Huff, the former head coach of three sports, was a high school state champion in three sports before joining the University of Missouri and running track there. Stacy, his father, was a linebacker for the Missouri football team and CEO of Fifth Down Enterprises. Elliott's maternal grandfather played basketball for Drake University. Shawn Huff, a professional basketball player from Finland, is his uncle.

Personal life

Since signing his rookie contracts, Elliott bought Dawn and Stacy Elliott a new house. At Ohio State University, he concentrated on marketing. He was a good friend with fellow Buckeye teammate Kosta Karageorge, who was a walk-on defensive end. When Karageorge died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, he drew national notice. Elliott was shocked by his friend's death. According to ESPN, "Our hearts have been broken." "It was just a trying time for all of us." It was my first time losing someone close to me."

Elliott became a member of OnCore Golf Technology, Inc., a golf ball manufacturer headquartered in Buffalo, New York, in August 2020.

Elliott was cited by police in May 2021 after one of his dogs bit and injured two people in his Frisco neighborhood.

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High school career

Elliott, despite his athletic career, attended more academically motivated John Burroughs School in Ladue, Missouri, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball, and track and field. He also played baseball. He spent time with the John Burroughs football team as a running back. After rushing for 1,802 yards and 34 touchdowns and receiving 23 passes for 401 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2012, he was named the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offensive player of the year. He had 3,061 all-purpose yards and 50 total touchdowns in his senior year, with 2,155 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns. He coached the football team to three straight championship games, but he lost all three of them.

Elliott, who was also a top track and field athlete, was a state qualifier in sprinting and hurdling competitions. He capped off his high school years by winning four state championships at the Missouri Class 3 state championships in 2+12 hours (100-meter dash, 200-meter high hurdles, and 300-meter hurdles). In the 100m dash, he ran in a career-best time of 10.95 seconds, 22.05 seconds in the 110m hurdles, and 37.52 seconds in the 300 meters hurdles. In the state of Missouri, he was named the Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year.

Elliott was rated as the No. 1 by Scout.com as the top recruit on the site. In 2013, nine of the country's best running candidates are back in the country. He was involved in the All-American Bowl in the 2013 United States. Despite overwhelming support and pressure for Elliott to sign with his parents' alma mater, the University of Missouri, he chose Ohio State University.

College career

Elliott, a true freshman at Ohio State University in 2013, passed for 262 yards on 30 passes with two touchdowns as a backup to starter Carlos Hyde, mainly as a gunner on special teams.

Elliott took over as the Buckeyes' starter in 2014 after Hyde's departure to the NFL. Elliott was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Conference team during the season. During the regular season, Elliott passed over 100 yards six times. Elliott ran for 220 yards on 20 carries for two touchdowns in the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game against the Wisconsin Badgers. This victory earned Ohio State a first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Elliott had 230 yards on 20 carries in a close 42-35 victory over #1 Alabama in which he was named Player of the Game. He finished the Buckeyes' championship season by running for 246 yards on 36 runs and scoring four touchdowns against the Oregon Ducks. He was named the Offensive MVP of the game as well; it was the third most rushing yards ever by an Ohio State player.

Elliott started the season by rushing for more than 100 yards in ten straight victories, including 274 against Indiana on October 3 (the second highest all-time for an Ohio State player). However, the team suffered a 14-17 loss to Michigan State on November 21, 2015, and Elliott revealed that he would draft him in 2016. Elliott ran for 214 yards on 30 carries in a 42-13 Ohio State victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor, his fifth 200+ yard game. In a Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame, he ended his collegiate career with 149 yards and four touchdowns.

Elliott spent his time at Ohio State on several leaderboards. With 10,961 and 101.6 yards per game, he was second in career rushing yards with 10,961 and 109. (both behind Archie Griffin), had the second and third most rushing yards per game this season, and five of the top 20 rush yards per game. His 43 rushing touchdowns were his fourth highest all time, and his 23 in 2015 was his third most in a season. Eddie George's 12 100-yard rushing games in the 2015 season tied him for a school record, and his 22nd he earned over his career to Griffin came second only to Griffin (as was his streak of 15 consecutive 100-yard games from 2014 to 2015). He and George are the only Ohio State players to play in five 200-yard rushing games.

During Elliott's time at Ohio State, he was given numerous awards. Elliott was named the Offensive MVP of both the 2015 Sugar Bowl and the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game in the 2014 season.

Elliott's popularity at the end of the 2014 season made him a front-runner for the 2015 Heisman Trophy, but he finished eighth in the polls. Elliott was named the 2015 Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year in a season marked by his 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns, 2015 Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year, and was selected as the Unanimous First Team All-Big Ten. He was also named Big Ten Player of the Week twice during the 2015 season for his appearances against Indiana in Week 5 and Week 13 against Michigan.

Professional career

Elliott was the most complete back to play the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007, and was projected to be a top-ten pick before the draft. On a draft breakdown by NFL.com, he compared Edgerrin James to his "unique combination of strength, agility, pass-catching, and blocking abilities" and that "he should still come out of the gates as one of the most effective young running backs in the league."

Elliott was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28, 2016. He was the first running back selected in the draft that year. Elliott was widely regarded as the early favorite for the 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year, despite playing behind what many perceived as the NFL's most consistent offensive line leading up to the 2016 NFL season.

Elliott's four-year rookie contract with a $16.3 million signing bonus was reported on May 18, 2016.

Elliott was the Cowboys' starting running back in the regular season, ahead of veterans Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden. In the narrow 20–19 loss, he rushed for 51 yards on 20 attempts and scored his first NFL touchdown on an eight-yard run in the season's opener against the New York Giants. Elliott had 21 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in the next game against the Washington Redskins, but he also fumbled twice, missing one of them. On the road 27–23, the Cowboys triumphed. During Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, he played his first game with over a hundred yards and ended with a 31–17 win with 140 rushing yards on 30 carries. In the 24-17 road victory, he had 138 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. Elliott rushed for 134 yards on 15 passes and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard touchdown, as the Cowboys defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 on Week 5. Elliott continued his four-game streak with over 100 yards in the 30–16 road victory in the following game against the Green Bay Packers.

After reaching the record in 1977, Tony Dorsett became the second Cowboys rookie to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. He played for 1,000 yards in his ninth game of his career after just his ninth game of his career, joining Adrian Peterson and Eric Dickerson.

Elliott led to 209 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns, including his first NFL receiving touchdown on an 83-yard pass from fellow rookie Dak Prescott, and a 32-yard field goal for the game-winning touchdown with nine seconds remaining during a Week 10 35–30 road victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Elliott rushed for 97 yards and passed Tony Dorsett's rookie rush record on his second carry during Week 1127-17's victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Elliott soared into an oversized Salvation Army Red Kettle in Week 15, marking his first touchdown against Tampa Bay. It was an unusual touchdown celebration. Since 1997, the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day football game halftime show has traditionally kicked off the Red Kettle campaign. With his rushing touchdown, he tied for the Cowboys' rookie record over Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker. In the 26–20 win, he ran for 159 yards. Elliott rushed for 80 yards in a Week 16 42-21 victory over the Detroit Lions, but did not participate in the regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles because the Cowboys clinched the number one seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Elliott played for 1,631 yards in his rookie season, the third most by a rookie (behind Eric Dickerson's 1,808 in 1983 and George Rogers' 1,674 in 1981), and the youngest player to reach 1,600 yards. He came in third with 15 touchdowns behind LeGarrette Blount and David Johnson. He tied Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis, and Ickey Woods for the second most all-time by a rookie behind Eric Dickerson's 18. Elliott's 464 yards after contact ranked fourth in NFL running backs after contact. Elliott was named as a First-Team All-Pro and earned his first Pro Bowl, joining Dak Prescott as the first rookie running back and quarterback pairing in NFL history, despite his prolific season. He was also ranked seventh by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 as the highest ranked running back.

Elliott played 22 times for 125 yards in his first NFL playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, 34-31 loss, with Duane Thomas as the only Cowboy rookie to rush for over 100 yards in a playoff game.

Elliott was suspended for the first six games of the 2017 season after breaking the personal conduct code on August 11, 2017. He was suspended on five occasions in 2016 after reports of domestic abuse against his ex-girlfriend. NFL prosecutors launched a year-long probe into the allegations, but although Elliott was never criminally charged, police decided to suspend him. Elliott declared on August 16 that he would appeal the suspension. Despite the fact that the suspension was upheld by a league-appointed arbitrator on September 8, a federal judge granted a request for injunction by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), effectively ending the case.

Elliott rushed for 104 yards on 24 attempts in the Cowboys' season-opener against the New York Giants on NBC Sunday Night Football, defeating them by a score of 19–3. In an away game against the Denver Broncos, Elliott had his lowest game of his career so far in Week 2. In the 42-23 road loss, he was limited to eight rushing yards on nine carries.

Elliot's suspension had been reinstated by the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, meaning he'd have to serve the six-game suspension starting on October 12. Elliott was granted a provisional restraining order on October 18, which means he would not have to serve his suspension from that point, allowing him to play in Week 7. Elliott rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers on Week 7, and he had a 72-yard touchdown reception from Dak Prescott in the 40-10 road victory.

Elliott's request for a preliminary injunction was dismissed by New York Southern District Court Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who reverted Elliott's suspension to six games. The NFLPA filed an emergency request for the injunction the following day.

Elliott was granted a stay by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on November 3, which postponed the suspension.

The suspension was revived by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on November 9. Elliott decided to accept the suspension and leave the country to train for a few days, three days afterward. He officially announced that he had dropped out of another appeal attempt on November 15. Elliott had been training and rehabbing his hamstrings in Mexico before his reinstatement. Elliott returned to action against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, where he rushed for 97 yards on 24 attempts. The Cowboys lost 21–12 and were booted out of playoff contention. Elliott led to 103 passing yards in the 6–0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular season finale.

Elliott finished the 2017 season with 242 passes for 983 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as 26 receptions for 269 yards and two touchdowns in ten games and starts. He was ranked 54th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.

Elliott scored a rushing touchdown in both games against the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants in the first two games of the season. He rushed for 127 yards on Monday, the Seattle Seahawks' Week 3-24-13 road loss. In a 26–24 victory, he had 152 running yards, four receptions for 88 yards, and a touchdown. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6, he ran for 106 yards and a touchdown. Elliott made the 12th Cowboy to score 25 touchdowns on the ground as well as the fastest to do so, three games faster than Emmitt Smith, and he only scored with his own score. Elliott scored twice on a Week 1027-20 road victory, totaling 151 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards against the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl champions. For the fifth time in his career, he passed 150 yards for the fifth time in franchise history, defeating DeMarco Murray for third in the third time. He scored 201 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons, his fourth game over 200, tied for most franchise history. Elliott continued his success against the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving, eclipsing 1,000 yards against the Washington Redskins for the second time in his career, second longest in Cowboys' history (long with DeMarco Murray & Calvin Hill). Elliott earned 136 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown in a narrow win over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football, scoring 136 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Elliott ended the 2018 season with 1,434 passing yards and six touchdowns to go along with 77 receptions for 567 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games and starts. For the second time in three seasons, he captured the rushing title. Elliott earned his second Pro Bowl nomination for his second season in 2018.

The Cowboys debuted as the fourth seed in the NFC East and made the playoffs as the #4 seed for the NFC Playoffs. Elliott rushed 26 times for 137 yards and a touchdown in the 24–22 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the 2019 NFC Wild Card Round. In the 30–22 loss, he had 20 carries for 47 yards and a touchdown. He was ranked 18th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

Elliott's deal was extended to a fifth-year contract by the Cowboys on April 17, 2019. Elliott, on the other hand, started crying out during training camp, demanding a contract extension. Elliott signed a six-year contract with the Cowboys worth $90 million with $50 million as a result, keeping him under control until the 2026 season.

Elliott rushed 13 times for 53 yards and a touchdown in Elliott's first game back. Elliott carried 23 times for 111 yards and a touchdown in a 31–21 road victory over the Washington Redskins in the next game against the Washington Redskins. Elliott rushed 19 times for 125 yards against the Miami Dolphins the next week, when the Cowboys defeated the Miami Dolphins 31–6. Elliott rushed 28 times for 105 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 against the New York Jets, as well as five passes for 48 yards. In the 37-10 win, he passed 22 times for 111 yards and a touchdown, while getting six passes for 36 yards. On Monday Night Football, the Cowboys faced the New York Giants after a Week 8 bye. Elliott rushed 23 times for 139 yards in the 37–18 road victory. In the 31–24 loss, he rushed 19 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. Elliott finished with 1,000 rushing yards on the season during the game. Elliott rushed 24 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15, while the 44–21 victory gave him three passes for 43 yards. Elliott rushed 18 times for 122 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins' regular-season finale, and he intercepted three passes for two yards and a touchdown. Elliott earned his third Pro Bowl nomination for 2019.

Elliott had 1,357 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games and starts for the 2019 season, as well as 54 interceptions for 420 yards and two touchdowns. He was ranked 24th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.

Elliott rushed 22 times for 96 yards and a touchdown while losing to the Los Angeles Rams on NBC Sunday Night Football on Sunday Night Football, stopping him on Sunday Night Football. During the 40-39 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, he ran 22 times for 89 yards and a rushing touchdown to go along with six receptions for 33 receiving yards.

Elliott recovered 105 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns against the New York Giants in Week 5 on week 5. Elliott rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11; during the 31-28 victory, Elliott rushed for 11 yards and a touchdown. This was his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. Elliott missed his first game due to illness in Week 15, against the San Francisco 49ers, whom the Cowboys defeated 41-33. In Week 16, against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had 19 carries for 105 yards.

Elliott finished the 2020 season with 979 rushing yards and six touchdowns, as well as 52 receptions for 338 yards and two touchdowns.

Elliott's contract was restructured by the Cowboys on August 27, 2021, converting $8.6 million of his base salary for the upcoming season into a signing bonus in order to save some salary cap space. Elliott recovered after suffering with lingering knee and ankle injuries during the majority of the season, rushing for 1,002 yards and two touchdowns on 237 attempts, as well as two touchdowns on 237 yards and two touchdowns. He had two games over the 100-yard mark and four games with multiple touchdowns in them.

Elliott rushed for 31 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round, and the Los Angeles 49ers lost by 23–17. Elliott was playing with a partially torn PCL, which he suffered against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 during Week 4.

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