Elliott hits back at doubters: 'Put some respect on my name'
Ezekiel Elliott is tired of the disrespect.
In a series of tweets Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys' star running back called out the media for failing to properly recognize his talents:
There are a lot of great backs in this league but I don't understand why the media has to talk down on my game just to uplift other backs. We all are talented football players and can ball.
- Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) July 16, 2020
Check the stats. Since I entered this league I have dominated year in, year out. Put some RESPECT on my name.
- Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) July 16, 2020
Women lie. Men lie. The stats don't. Go do your homework.
- Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) July 16, 2020
Almost 1800 scrimmage yards and 14 TD's with no training camp and now im not the same back.
- Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) July 16, 2020
I do appreciate the standard you guys hold me to though lol. But I promise you no one holds me to a higher standard than myself.
- Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) July 16, 2020
Though Elliott didn't specifically mention why he feels slighted, it could be explained by the recent release of an ESPN poll of 50 league executives, coaches, scouts, and players to determine the NFL's best by position, as well as Madden 21's player ratings.
Last season, the running back's 1,357 yards were fourth behind Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb, and Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey (99 overall) and Henry (93 overall) topped Madden's running back rankings, while Elliott tied with Chubb for third (92).
Elliott also trailed Henry and McCaffrey in ESPN's poll, though some believe he is now far from elite.
One NFL offensive coach ranked #Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott as the 11th-best RB in the NFL.
- Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) July 9, 2020
"Very few breakout runs, doesn't look as strong anymore. Feels like he's about 60 to 70 percent of what he was."https://t.co/g0RVDhmzFJ
While Elliott's rushing and receiving totals last season fell just short of his 2018 output following a holdout that stretched into September, he found the end zone 14 times - the second-most of his career - to help Dallas finish as the NFL's sixth-best scoring offense.
Elliott led the league in rushing in 2016 (as a rookie) and 2018, and would've challenged for the title in 2017 if not for a four-game suspension.
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