Early Life and High School Career
Ezekiel Elijah Elliott was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Dawn and Stacy Elliott on July 22, 1995. His father played football, and his mother competed in track and field, so he grew up in an athletic household. Elliott had a strong love of sports as a child, especially football, which he began playing at a young age.
Elliott was an all-around athlete in football, basketball, and track at John Burroughs School in Ladue, Missouri. He was a strong force in high school football, winning All-Metro and All-State awards in his last year of play.
College Career
After his stellar high school career, Elliott attended Ohio State University on a scholarship. There, he played for the Buckeyes from 2013 to 2015. Elliott had a significant role in Ohio State’s success during his tenure there, helping the Buckeyes capture the 2014 National Championship.
Elliott was a contender for the Heisman Trophy and was named to the First Team All-American following his junior year of 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Professional Career
In the 2016 NFL Draft, Elliott was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys as the fourth overall choice. He made a name for himself as one of the league’s best running backs in his first season by amassing 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Elliott was selected for the Pro Bowl for the first time after leading the NFL in running yards (1,434) and touchdowns (6) in 2018. Since then, he has developed into a reliable player for the Cowboys, getting selected to many Pro Bowls and being chosen to the 2018 Second Team All-Pro team.
Off-Field Issues and Controversies
Elliott has faced criticism at times in his career. He was given a six-game suspension in 2017 when it was alleged that he had abused his ex-girlfriend. After an appeal, the ban was maintained even though he refuted the accusations.
Elliott has also been criticized for his conduct off the pitch, particularly after he was arrested by the police in 2019 during a music event.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Elliott is well-known for his philanthropic efforts, especially in St. Louis, where he was raised. He has contributed to a number of charities, including the United Way and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Elliott likes to play video games and listen to music when he has free time. He is an ardent supporter of the St. Louis Blues and frequently attends their games.
Career Stats and Accolades
– NFL rushing yards leader (2018)
– 3x Pro Bowl selection (2018-2020)
– 2x Second-Team All-Pro (2018, 2020)
– First-Team All-American (2015)
– National Champion (2014)
summary
Ezekiel Elliott is a gifted and powerful NFL player who has won several awards and had a career filled with outstanding performances. Although his accomplishments have occasionally been overshadowed by off-field problems, he is still regarded highly in the football community. His reputation as one of the best running backs in NFL history is going to get stronger as long as he plays and develops.
