The Cowboys cruised to a 19-3 win over the Giants in their season opener on Sunday night, led by their defense and an offense that limited mistakes and moved the ball well until they got in the red zone. Star running back Ezekiel Elliott was Dallas’ leading rusher, with 104 yards on 24 carries in his first game of his sophomore campaign.
Just having Elliott on the field was a bonus for the Cowboys after Elliott was suspended for six games by the NFL earlier in the offseason for an allegation of domestic violence from an ex-girlfriend, which was upheld by an arbitrator last week after an appeal. While the NFL’s process was concluding, the battle was only beginning between the league and Elliott, who filed for an injunction and restraining order against the NFL, which was granted by a judge, allowing him to play.
For now, Elliott will be allowed to play for the Cowboys until the impending court battle concludes, which will likely involve the district and federal court of appeals. As with Tom Brady and the DeflateGate scandal — which, compared to Elliott’s case and allegations of domestic violence is far more trivial — Elliott could find himself playing this entire season before an official decision is made in the court system.
On Sunday night, Elliott spoke for the first time about his fight in the courts with the NFL and what he hopes to prove after having his name “dragged through the mud,” as he put it (via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk).
“It just feels good to be out here,” Elliott said. “It’s definitely been a tough last 14 months, and at times, it’s gotten so hard you start to lose faith. But just being able to come in and be with these boys every day has kept me focused and made me not give up. I keep going. …
“Just relieved from the fact that I finally get a fair trial. I finally get a chance to prove my innocence. And I’m just happy I’m able to be with these guys for as long as it’s permitted and just not having to miss time and not being away from them.”
Elliott, his legal counsel, and the NFLPA have fought the NFL every step of the way, maintaining the stance that he’s innocent, and that fight will continue over the coming months, all the while, he’ll keep toting the rock in Dallas until a final decision comes.
