Opinion: Ezekiel Elliot Situation About Perception

The NFL showing concern over Dallas Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott’s conduct proves that they care more about perception than whether or not laws are followed.

It’s no secret that the NFL is willing to crack down on anyone for stepping outside the lines. They suspended New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady because it was “more probable than not” that he tampered with footballs. They also suspended former Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy for a crime he most likely committed, but legally is not on his record.

None of this should come as a shock because this is the norm for the all-too-powerful NFL. In 2010, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for six games, which he kindly reduced to four not long after his initial ruling.

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The suspension of Big Ben also was absent any actual conviction of a crime. So how does the NFL get away with this?

Simple. They have created a loophole where Goodell is allowed to suspend players for violating the “personal conduct policy.” What that really means is if any NFL player does something to tarnish the shield, a suspension could be forthcoming.

In any other walk of life, this would be unacceptable. Can you imagine losing your job as a driver for a company simply because the powers that be decide that they don’t like the fact that you drink on your own time? That’s exactly the way the NFL seems to treat their employees, and Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott is the next person in their crosshairs even though he has never been convicted of breaking any laws.

According to ESPN reporter Ed Werder, the league is becoming growingly concerned with the actions of Elliott as of late. Those actions include a claim of domestic violence (which has not been accompanied with any actual charges) and him visiting a legal pot shop while in Seattle (although he purchased nothing).

While some fans applaud the NFL for taking such a stance, it really is unfair. Elliott did nothing wrong by walking into a legal establishment. He is also innocent of any domestic violence unless proven guilty.

What the NFL actually is doing is saying they are above the law. Even after legal proceedings take place, Goodell and company have the audacity to conduct their own investigations. It’s as if they throw the judicial system aside and say “we will be the judge of that.”

Of course the ridiculous CBA agreed to in 2011 gives Goodell such power. However, the league needs to be careful about letting him exercise this power. With the current agreement set to expire in five years, the more Goodell takes advantage of his power, the more likely a work stoppage in 2021 is.

If that’s the case, no one wins. The league needs to find a healthy  balance between protecting the shield and allowing perception to be a deciding factor. If a player has no criminal record there should never be any action taken by the league.

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This probably won’t be a popular opinion. Yet, if anyone else found their own job in jeopardy over perception rather than fact, they would quickly change their tune.