Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, facing a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, admitted to using drugs while at Ohio State.
The revelation, first reported by the Dallas Morning News on Friday, came as Elliott, while under oath, was being cross-examined by an NFL attorney during the running back’s appeal hearing this week.
While being quizzed by NFL lawyer Daniel Nash, Elliott said that he liked to party and get drunk and acknowledged that he used drugs in college.
“I do like to party,” Elliott answered per a document obtained by the newspaper. He offered a simple “yes” when asked if he liked to get drunk.
Nash then asked: “You like to do drugs?”
Answered Elliott: “I did in college.”
The 22-year-old Elliott is appealing a six-game suspension for domestic violence. The punishment was issued by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Aug. 11 after a 13-month-long investigation revealed Elliott allegedly assaulted Tiffany Thompson, who said she was Elliott’s girlfriend.
During interviews with league investigators, Thompson said she saw Elliott use both marijuana and cocaine.
Elliott was accused by Thompson of five domestic assault incidents in July 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. Elliott denied the allegations and was never charged or arrested.
The NFL Players Association filed a request in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on Thursday to block any suspension upheld by arbitrator Harold Henderson involving Elliott.
The players’ union accused the league’s appeals process of being “fundamentally unfair” and citing new facts revealed during this week’s hearing that wrapped up Thursday.
The union’s petition alleges the league deliberately hid critical information from Elliott and the union that could have been used to exonerate him, including that the NFL’s lead investigator on the case, Kia Roberts, produced an internal memo in which she had issues with Thompson’s credibility.
Inconsistent statements from Thompson resulted in Roberts recommending that Elliott receive no suspension, according to multiple reports.
On Friday, the NFL denied hiding “critical information” in the case.
“They’re trying to create a grand conspiracy story where none exists,” league spokesman Joe Lockhart told NFL.com on Friday.
Lockhart said the allegation that league executives conspired to keep the opinions of Roberts from commissioner Roger Goodell is not accurate.
Elliott, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft, led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards during his rookie season.
QB Osweiler returns to Broncos
Brock Osweiler’s relatively short but eventful career has now come full circle.
The quarterback is returning to Denver after the Broncos signed him to a one-year contract on Saturday.
Osweiler spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Broncos before he signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent and then was shipped off to Cleveland this season after one unsuccessful season with the Texans.
The Browns acquired Osweiler in the offseason but earlier this week waived him after he lost the quarterback battle. Cleveland opted to go with rookie DeShone Kizer as its starting quarterback for its season opener next week.
The deal is for one year at the veterans’ minimum of $775,000. The Browns still will owe Osweiler approximately $15.225 million.
The Broncos had a need at the position with backup Paxton Lynch out at least a month because of a shoulder injury. And Osweiler knows the Broncos’ offense, having played there under offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
“I think with the opportunity we had to get Brock back, we’re excited about that opportunity to have that experience there with Brock,” said John Elway, the Broncos’ president of football operations/general manager. “Plus with Paxton, you never know with the throwing shoulder.”
The deal is pending an Osweiler physical on Monday.
The Browns, who owed Osweiler $16 million after his release, will now pay him $15.225 million. Osweiler’s deal with the Broncos is pending a physical on Monday.
“I’m sure it’s been a tough one for him,” Elway said. “I know we thought a lot of Brock. He went 5-2 as a starter for us, and without Brock that year, we don’t win a Super Bowl.
“I’m sure it’s been a long 18 months for him. He’s been through a lot, I’m sure. … He’s going to need a little football rehab, we know that. We’ll welcome him with open arms and give him some love.”