30 NFL players fans loved to loathe

NFL History: 30 players fans loved to loathe: 29. Ezekiel Elliot

Secretly, there’s a rule in the NFL that no one discusses but is widely accepted. If you’re a good player, let alone great or elite and you play for the Dallas Cowboys, you’re automatically hated.

For running back Ezekiel Elliot, he became the most hated rusher in the league the moment he donned that white and navy blue jersey. Elliot was terrific during his first few years in the league. He led the NFL in rushing yards on numerous occasions and taunted the crowd whenever he rushed for a first down.

The boos never seemed to bother Elliot as he simply continued to run over defenders. Unlike Cowboy teams of past years, this newer version didn’t do much winning when it mattered most. Sure, Elliot would help push his squad over the playoff finish line but they would hardly do anything once there. Still, opposing fans booed him whenever he touched the rock. More than anything, Elliot could always depend on his home crowd to have his back. With that said, even his hometown fans began booing.

At only the age of 25, Elliot lost all of his burst, and the spring in his step is considerably slower. His long chunk yards have reverted to three or four-yard gains. Nowadays, the fans boo him mercilessly and endlessly.

In most cases, players can deal with an opposing fan base hating them but when it’s coming from those who are supposed to be behind you, it hurts that much more.