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The NFL is going to find a way to suspend Ezekiel Elliott with no regard for the case evidence.
In an offseason that will seemingly never end, it was reported that Ezekiel Elliott is bracing for a potential suspension from the NFL due to a closed case from a year ago. Nobody is going to downplay the seriousness of domestic violence. However, this is a case that had insufficient evidence, witnesses that disputed the report, threatening text messages from the accuser, and complete cooperation from the accused. Again, this was closed a year ago by the Ohio prosecutors yet remains open in the eyes of the NFL.
Look, we’re not going to pretend that cases haven’t closed in this country when wrongdoing was committed. The judicial system isn’t perfect but what more can the NFL find in this matter that hasn’t already been found? Are their sources and investigators more equipped than the prosecutors in Columbus, Ohio? It was about a month ago that Ezekiel Elliott handed over his phone and anything that would help the NFL resolve the matter. Still, this case is ongoing and there hasn’t been a single ounce of clarity throughout the process.
To be fair, the NFL has stated that no official decision has been made but ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the contrary:
An update on the Ezekiel Elliott investigation:https://t.co/W3ndM6JdVi https://t.co/KQhuTus66k
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 14, 2017
The most troublesome thing of all about this was a comment given to Schefter by a source close to the investigation:
“Ezekiel Elliott at this point in time is bracing for a short suspension,” Schefter said. “Maybe one game, maybe two games, but as one person told me, in quotes, ‘It looks like the NFL is trying to pin something on him.'”
That comment most likely is from someone within Zeke’s camp but it perfectly encapsulates what the NFL’s discipline system has been under Roger Goodell. This is how players have come to feel about the process and it’s sad. Inconsistency is written in the NFL’s code of conduct where a player can be suspended even if the alleged faced no legal penalty and seemingly by the discretion of the commissioner. The NFL has a difficult time even understanding, let alone enforcing their own rules.
In the case of domestic abuse, the first-time offense is to be carried about by a six-game suspension per the league’s policy. If the report of a short-term Elliott suspension is true the entire thing will reek of the NFL undermining the investigation in the sole effort to punish the player. It will undoubtedly come off as a scare tactic levied on an innocent person in the eyes of the law. Our very own Tom Ryle had some interesting thoughts on the matter and believes that Elliott just rubs the league office the wrong way:
Couple things about the Zeke investigation. I'm guessing any suspension will NOT be over DV accusation. (1)
— Tom Ryle (@TomRyleBTB) July 14, 2017
But it is completely possible league levies some punishment over the "boob flash" or the "head shop" incidents, or something unknown. (4)
— Tom Ryle (@TomRyleBTB) July 14, 2017
Still questionable how NFL got here, but focusing on DV incident may miss what the league is up to. (5)
— Tom Ryle (@TomRyleBTB) July 14, 2017
Surely, neither the NFL nor the Cowboys were happy over Elliott’s St. Patty’s day antics but is that going to be what gets him suspended for two games? It’s debatable but highly unlikely that league officials would use that instance as a means to close this separate case. It was an extremely inappropriate move that showed carelessness on Zeke’s part. As much as the media would want folks to believe, this is not just a Cowboys’ thing. It’s not even about the suspension as much as it’s about the NFL’s perpetual hypocrisy in how they handle these situations.
Josh Brown, the former kicker for the New York Giants, had 20 instances of reported domestic abuse from his wife. He actually admitted to abusing his wife to the local police but the spouse did not cooperate with any investigation. Did he get a six-game suspension as written in the NFL’s code? Nope, not even close, he only received a one-game suspension which irked Raven’s wide receiver, Steve Smith Sr. who watched his own mother be abused and tweeted: "What a shame NFL acts like it cares."
Brown wasn’t deactivated until week seven last year and wasn’t released until late October after the pressure of the released admittance was too much to ignore. Here you have a guy who admits abusing far more extensive than any other player has been accused of and receives five games less than the written penalty. What’s even worse is that the NFL didn’t have a ton of information but made sure they acted within a week of the accusation to seem like they were on top of it. Brown’s media coverage paled in comparison to Greg Hardy, Ray Rice, or even Ray McDonald’s allegations.
For the NFL, they want to be perceived as though they’re doing the right thing but some of their actions contradict that. If Elliott were truly guilty of domestic violence, this situation should have been resolved by now with how much information the NFL must have. The league seems to never be in front of a situation instead they’re always caught stumbling and making things less transparent. If you want to be perceived as doing the right thing then it must be met with some type of conviction. You have to be as clear on one end as you are on the other. They need to be equally focused on the prosecution and the defense. You would think that part of “protecting the shield” would include the ability to protect their employees if they’re innocent.
As it relates to the terrible act of domestic violence, the NFL needs a new plan that is clear and consistent. When an issue arises, gather the facts and carry out the punishment as stated or give a statement that doesn’t automatically presume guilt for the accused. Don’t sit on a case for a year when everything has been handed over to then sit on your hands hoping something new will come forth. If it’s a six-game suspension, it’s six games, no exceptions. To potentially suspend Zeke for one or two games only shows that the NFL is not interested in making it right. The NFL only seems determined on finding a means to punish Ezekiel Elliott despite all evidence that blew the case dead long ago.
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