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SPORTS Tuesday 12 sepTember 2017

Elliott’s Ban

Continued from Page 17 after he led the league in
rushing as a rookie.
“I finally get a chance to The case apparently will
prove my innocence. And stay in the Texas court for
I’m just happy I’m able to at least a week after Maz-
be with these guys for as zant gave Elliott’s side until
long as it’s permitted and Wednesday to respond to
just not having to miss time the NFL’s request for a stay.
and not being away from The NFL would then have
them.” until Friday to respond to ar-
The 22-year-old Elliott was guments from Elliott’s legal
suspended by Commis- team before Mazzant rules
sioner Roger Goodell last on the motion, presumably
month, and attorneys with next week.
the NFL Players’ Association “It may be difficult for the
contended in a lawsuit that NFL to convince the 5th
Elliott didn’t get a fair hear- Circuit that this is truly an
ing in an appeal that was emergency,” said Gabe
denied. Feldman, director of the
Elliott had already been sports law program at Tu-
cleared to play in the sea- lane University Law School.
son opener when U.S. Dis- “The argument here is that
trict Judge Amos Mazzant the NFL could later enforce
granted a temporary re- the suspension.” Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball as New York Giants linebacker
straining order and injunc- Elliott was suspended by Jonathan Casillas (52) andDamon Harrison, right, defend in the first half of an NFL football
tion blocking the suspen- Goodell in August after the game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas.
sion Friday. league concluded he had Associated Press
The case could play out for several physical confronta- think the scope and review support any punishment for Elliott had 1,631 yards rush-
months. tions last summer with Tif- in labor arbitration is very Elliott. ing last season, helping Dal-
New England quarterback fany Thompson, a former limited and we believe the Three years ago, the NFL las to the best record in the
Tom Brady’s four-game sus- girlfriend. Prosecutors in judge went well beyond stiffened penalties in do- NFC at 13-3. He had anoth-
pension over “Deflategate” Columbus, Ohio, decided what is permitted as far as mestic violence cases after er 36 yards receiving in the
was delayed by a year about a year ago not to scope,” NFL vice president getting sharply criticized for opener against the Giants
when a federal judge ruled pursue the case in the city of communications Joe its handling of former Bal- as the Cowboys beat the
in his favor. Brady served where Elliott starred for Lockhart said. timore running back Ray NFC East rival that swept
the suspension to start last Ohio State, citing conflict- Mazzant’s ruling took aim Rice. them last season.q
season after an appeals ing evidence. at appeal hearing officer
court reversed the ruling The NFL kept its investiga- Harold Henderson and the
and backed Goodell’s au- tion open, and said its NFL, saying decisions not to
thority to suspend him. conclusions were based allow Goodell and Thomp-
If Mazzant denies the emer- on photographs, text mes- son to testify at the appeal
gency request to put his sages and other electron- were among several fac-
own ruling on hold pend- ic evidence. The league tors unfair to Elliott. The run-
ing further hearings, the NFL has argued that it acted ning back denied the alle-
could make a similar argu- within the parameters of gations under oath during
ment to the appeals court a labor agreement that the appeal.
in hopes of getting a hear- gives Goodell broad au- The judge also faulted the
ing within days after Maz- thority to suspend players. league for what he saw as
zant decides. The league also said the several efforts to conceal
Without an NFL win on an appeal process was con- the opinion of co-lead in-
emergency request in ei- sistent with its personal con- vestigator Kia Roberts. She
ther court, the timeline like- duct policy. testified at the appeal that
ly would clear Elliott to play “As far as the argument to she didn’t think Thompson
his entire second season the court of appeals, we was credible and didn’t