Report: There’s concern that the NFL may be out to make an example of Ezekiel Elliott

The beginning of OTAs hasn’t exactly gone smoothly for the Dallas Cowboys, at least as far as things happening to them off of the field.

Last week it was reported that Ezekiel Elliott was handcuffed, but not arrested, at a music festival in Las Vegas. This week the security guard that he had the altercation with went on record for wanting a sincere apology, courtesy of an interview with CBS Los Angeles.

Needless to say headlines like this aren’t great in any locker room or for any player of any sport, but Ezekiel Elliott obviously has a history with the NFL and punishment. He was infamously suspended for six games two years ago and given instructions to walk a fine line from that point on out. An altercation of any kind is hardly walking such a line.

There seems to be growing concern that the NFL may be out to make an example of Elliott

Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman took on the Zeke subject at the beginning of his “10-Point Stance” piece on Wednesday. He discussed how there is growing concern throughout the league that the league itself could be out to make an example of Zeke. That wouldn’t be good.

Again, Elliott has a past in the NFL court of law. Whether you agreed with the way his previous alleged transgressions were handled by Roger Goodell or not, the facts are that he was punished for them and lives in a world where he has to walk the fine line mentioned.

If Zeke is getting into an altercation at a music festival in Las Vegas, to any sort of degree, it’s only tempting the NFL to prove that they’re not going to stand for that sort of behavior. Freeman summarizes the point and how we got here quite well.

It’s not that this latest event was worse than the previous allegations and actions. It’s that Elliott would put himself in that position in the first place. He should know better. And now, he has left himself at the discretion of a league whose track record in dispensing justice is mixed and has punished him before.

Even regarding Elliott, it appeared early on that neither his actions on St. Patrick’s Day nor the domestic violence allegations would draw disciplinary action from the league.

Eventually, the NFL did suspend Elliott six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after investigating the domestic violence accusation.

And many around the league think the NFL won’t hesitate to try to teach Elliott a lesson. And yes, the NFL is in the lesson-teaching business. Don’t think for a second it isn’t.

Zeke’s past includes more than the events that were just the domestic violence allegations, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade back in 2017 is mentioned and has been well-documented. Later that summer he was also accused of punching a man in the face at a bar. There are definitely reasons to be concerned, and definitely reasons for the NFL to “make an example” of them.