Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s NFL career is getting off to a rocky start. A woman, known to be Elliott’s girlfriend Tiffany Thompson, went on her personal Instagram account claiming to have been a victim of domestic violence. She posted two sets of photos showing bruises allegedly stemming from the abuse. In one set of photos, she tagged Elliott.
While in the other set, she wrote,
Just for every women out there getting abused it’s time to put a stop to it. This has been happening to me for months and it finally got out of control to where I was picked up and thrown across the room by my arms. Thrown into walls. Being choked to where I have to gasp for breath. Bruised everywhere, mentally and physically abused. It’s not okay. So I want each and everyone one of you girl to step away now from domestic violence. You’re worth so much more. I got told it was called ‘tough love’ I’m sorry if you love someone you don’t touch your loved ones.
The running back has denied any wrongdoing. According to TMZ Sports, Elliott was named a suspect in a police report filed this morning in Columbus, OH. In the report, Thompson alleges that she was assaulted while sitting in her car. Elliott was never arrested for the incident after four eyewitnesses claimed that they did not see any assault occur in the car. Elliott explained that the bruises Thompson suffered stem from a bar fight. Elliott’s father, Stacy, released a statement proclaiming his son’s innocence in the matter. He continues by saying that his son has been fully cooperating with police.
This is just the beginning of the story with much more information likely to still emerge. The handling of players accused of domestic violence has been a major issue in professional sports, specifically the NFL. The league has been extremely lenient in the past with players convicted of striking their domestic partner, most notable Ray Rice who has never been able to repair his NFL career. Elliott has not been arrested so he likely will not face punishment as of now, however, the league will have to monitor the situation as it progresses. The Cowboys training camp is scheduled to start next week and all eyes will be on the first round draft pick.
