Zeke's Legal Woes: What Law Did He Break?

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been involved in several off-field incidents, including allegations of domestic violence, disorderly conduct, and assault. While he has never been arrested or charged with a crime, Elliott's name has appeared in multiple police reports and he has faced suspension from the NFL for violating their personal conduct policy. One notable incident involved Elliott's ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson, who accused him of multiple acts of violence during a week in July 2016. Despite Elliott's denial of the accusations and conflicting evidence, the NFL suspended him for six games, citing substantial and persuasive evidence of physical violence.

Ezekiel Elliott's suspension for domestic violence

The Allegations

In July 2016, Ezekiel Elliott, a running back for the Dallas Cowboys, was accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson. Thompson alleged that Elliott had committed multiple acts of physical violence against her over a period of five days surrounding his 21st birthday. She also stated that he had abused her on another occasion prior to the 2016 NFL draft.

Thompson's allegations included claims that Elliott had hit, choked, and thrown her against a wall, causing injuries to her face, neck, arms, wrist, hands, shoulders, knees, hips, and chest. She provided photographic evidence of her injuries and police records supported her claims.

Elliott denied the accusations and no criminal charges were filed due to "conflicting and inconsistent information". However, the NFL conducted its own investigation and concluded that there was "substantial and persuasive evidence" of Elliott's involvement in physical violence on multiple occasions.

The Suspension

As a result of the NFL's investigation, Elliott was suspended for six games without pay. The suspension was handed down by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who determined that Elliott had violated the league's Personal Conduct Policy. Goodell's decision was based on the credible evidence presented, including witness testimonies, photographic evidence, and medical reports.

Elliott had the option to appeal the suspension, and he did so. However, the appeal was unsuccessful, and the suspension was upheld.

The Fallout

The suspension had a significant impact on Elliott's career and public image. He lost millions in potential endorsement opportunities and faced intense scrutiny from the media and the public. The Cowboys also faced a difficult decision regarding their star player, with his future with the team dependent on his ability to learn from his mistakes and improve his off-field behaviour.

The suspension highlighted the NFL's commitment to addressing domestic violence issues among its players and the league's right to punish players even without criminal charges being filed. It also sparked discussions about the fairness and effectiveness of the league's disciplinary processes.

The NFL's right to punish players without charges

While players can appeal suspensions, the NFL has wide discretion in evaluating evidence and interpreting the "conduct detrimental" clause. The league's decision-making process has been criticised for its lack of transparency and consistency, with some arguing that it gives too much power to the commissioner.

In the case of Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys running back was suspended for six games without pay by the NFL following allegations of domestic violence. Elliott was never charged with a crime, but the league's investigation found "substantial and persuasive evidence" of physical violence. Elliott's suspension was upheld on appeal, and he was required to undergo a clinical evaluation and counselling.

The NFL's ability to punish players without charges has been a source of controversy, with some arguing that it sets a higher standard for players than the law. It has also led to legal battles between the league and players, such as Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson, who have challenged the commissioner's authority to discipline players.

The NFL's personal conduct policy

The policy states that the NFL will be represented by "outstanding people as well as great football players, coaches, and staff." It outlines that the NFL holds itself to "higher standards of responsible conduct" and that the policy is a way to ensure that everyone who is part of the NFL meets that standard.

The policy gives the commissioner the authority to punish a player who engages in "conduct detrimental to the integrity of, or public confidence in, the game of professional football." The commissioner can fine, suspend or expel players on a case-by-case basis.

In 2014, the NFL attempted to improve consistency in how the policy is applied to domestic violence matters. NFL owners agreed to a domestic violence policy that ensured experts would review allegations and that a first-time punishment for domestic violence would be a six-game suspension.

In August 2017, the NFL suspended Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for the first six games of the 2017 season, despite the lead NFL investigator in the case recommending no suspension. Elliott's suspension stems from various off-the-field incidents, including being accused of domestic violence in 2016 by his ex-girlfriend, who claimed on five different occasions he assaulted her. Despite never being charged, the NFL launched a year-long investigation into the allegations.

In March 2017, Elliott was captured on video pulling down a woman's shirt and exposing her breasts while watching a St. Patrick's Day parade in Dallas. Four months later, in July 2017, he was allegedly involved in an altercation at a nightclub during which a DJ's nose was broken. Dallas police eventually suspended the investigation after they were unable to locate the victim.

Ezekiel Elliott's off-field behaviour

In February 2016, Elliott's then-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson, called the police in Florida after an argument with him. She said that Elliott, listed as a "friend (with benefits)" in the police report, pushed her against a wall, hurting her shoulder. Elliott told police that Thompson, who was visiting him from Ohio during his pre-draft training, was angry over a "social media incident" and in the ensuing argument he asked her to leave. He said he tried to lock himself in another room, but that Thompson grabbed his waist and he pushed her off. No charges were filed.

In July 2016, Thompson reported five instances of violence by Elliott over a six-day period. She told police that Elliott had abused her from early July 17 to July 22 in Columbus, Ohio. She claimed that Elliott attacked her at about 3 a.m. on July 17 at his apartment after an argument about their "unhealthy relationship". She said that Elliott frequently cheated on her and when she told him she had been with another man during one of their breaks, he tried to strike her. The woman had a bruise on her right forearm, which she said happened when she tried to block Elliott from hitting her in the face. Elliott denied the accusations.

Elliott was suspended for six games in 2017 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after a year-long league investigation into the domestic violence accusations. He was also investigated for a May 2019 incident in Las Vegas, where he had a confrontation with a security guard at a music festival. Elliott was briefly detained but never arrested after the guard fell following a nudge from the running back.

In addition to the above, Elliott has been involved in multiple car accidents and has been pulled over for speeding. He has also been criticised for visiting a legal marijuana dispensary and for pulling down a woman's top and exposing her breast to a crowd during a St. Patrick's Day celebration in 2017.

Ezekiel Elliott's appeal and lawsuit

Background

In 2017, Ezekiel Elliott, a star running back for the Dallas Cowboys, was suspended for six games by the NFL for his alleged role in a domestic violence case from July 2016. The NFL's investigation concluded that Elliott had violated the league's personal conduct policy, which mandates a six-game suspension for first-time domestic violence violations.

Elliott denied the allegations and was never charged with a crime, but the NFL has the right to punish players even without charges under its personal conduct policy.

The Appeal

Elliott appealed the suspension, arguing that he did not receive a fair hearing and that there were inconsistencies in the evidence. The appeal process was lengthy and complex, involving multiple courts and legal motions.

The Lawsuit

While awaiting the outcome of his appeal, Elliott filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas to vacate the suspension. He was temporarily successful, with a Texas judge granting an injunction that blocked the suspension and allowed him to play for the Cowboys for the full 2017 season.

However, the NFL appealed this decision and the case went back and forth between different courts. Ultimately, Elliott withdrew his final appeal and served the full six-game suspension.

Outcome

The outcome of Elliott's lawsuit is unclear, but it likely faced long odds of success given the broad discretion accorded to the NFL commissioner under the league's collective bargaining agreement. The case highlighted ongoing tensions between the NFL and the NFL Players Association over the fairness of the league's disciplinary practices.

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