It seems like every day I’m writing about some player getting suspended or arrested, but in the case of Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, it may turn out he’s completely innocent.
Elliott has been accused by a former girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson, of assaulting her in a Columbus, Ohio parking lot. As evidence of the assault, she showed police a “red mark” and told them her wrist hurt.
But the problem with her account is there was another person in the car who didn’t see any assault, nor did three other witnesses in the parking lot at the time. The cops let Elliott walk that night, seeing nothing to arrest anybody over. That didn’t stop Thompson from filing a police report Friday morning. It’s now up to the Columbus district attorney if any charges will be filed, but considering Thompson lied to cops at the scene about Elliott sharing a residence with her and four witnesses stating Elliott never touched her, that probably won’t happen.
Evil NEVER prevails
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) July 23, 2016
Elliott’s dad Stacy released a statement to the media.
“The reported allegations and internet postings regarding our son are completely false,” Stacy Elliott said in the statement. “The police have investigated this matter and eyewitnesses have verified the lack of any wrongdoing. The actual evidence in this matter clearly indicates what the real motivation was behind the police being called. We are confident that when the truth comes to light it will reveal the falsity of these claims. Ezekiel has been fully cooperative with the police and continues to do so – along with cooperating with the NFL – moving forward.”
Elliott himself responded to the second report filed by Thompson, telling police that he never touched her in a harmful manner.
If it means anything to Elliott, the Cowboys believe him completely, as it appears they should.
Per a source, the Cowboys don't believe the allegations against Elliott are true
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) July 22, 2016
The NFL has also said they’ll investigate the incident, but, you know, come on.
If the allegations from Thompson aren’t true, and again, come on, then she could be in some trouble herself. Filing a false police report is a crime and there is also some legal avenues Elliott could take. Back in 2oo3, Hall of Fame St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk was falsely accused by a former girlfriend of abuse. He counter-sued her of abusing the legal process and won, asking for damages of only $1. Instead, the jury really nailed her and gave Faulk $125.
Colts’ Jones suspended for four games
There’s no good news here for the Indianapolis Colts or defensive tackle Arthur Jones. Jones has been hit by the NFL’s substance abuse policy and will have to sit out the first four games of the season. While Jones missed all of last season with an ankle injury, he plays a position where they really can’t afford to lose anybody.
#Colts DL Arthur Jones is suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2016 regular season for violating the NFL policy on PEDs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2016
Jones was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round back in 2010. He took over the starting defensive tackle job for the Ravens midway through 2012, then cashed in with the Colts last year with a five-year, $33 million contract in 2014. Jones has appeared in only nine games for the Colts and started three. This might be the excuse the team needs to set him free.
The irony of the situation is that Arthur Jones is the brother of MMA fighter Jon “Bones” Jones who was recently busted by the UFC for doping. He’s looking at his own two-year suspension.
Brees and Saints not talking contract
Drew Brees is entering the final year of his five-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Saints back in 2012 and is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season. As of right now, neither he, nor the team is sweating it.
Brees has plenty of reasons to be cool about it. $20.850 million to be exact as that’s what he’ll be making this year. And, truthfully, with Sean Payton as the coach there’s no way, other than a Peyton Manning-style neck injury, where the Saints will not get a new deal done with Brees, even if they have to franchise him this offseason.
“Not sure why things have not progressed,” Brees told ESPN. “They made an offer in March. We made an offer shortly thereafter… There has been no talk of a contract since.”
If Drew Brees were to hit the open market, even here int he twilight of his career, he’d find no shortage of suitors. Last year he completed 69.3 percent of his passes, led the NFL with 4,870 yards passing (the sixth time he’s done that), threw 32 touchdowns with only 11 interceptions. Drew Brees has a ready-made bust for the Hall of Fame. The Saints aren’t cutting him loose.
