Fans, NFL scouts react to Ezekiel Elliott’s post-game comments
Buckeye fans and sports analysts took notice of Ezekiel Elliott’s comments after Saturday’s 17 – 14 loss to Michigan State. The running back faulted coaches for what he perceived to be poor play-calling. He went on to say that he would not return to the team for his senior year. Instead, he’ll likely enter the NFL draft.
CBS Sports asked a handful of NFL scouts if Elliott’s post-game comments will hurt him in the future. One scout said that he wished the players on his team demonstrated that same sort of passion. Another scout said that Elliott will likely be asked about the comments, but that the incident shouldn’t be a problem. The third scout questioned called the Buckeye player’s public criticisms of the coaching staff ‘unacceptable.’ But, he also said that Elliott has a good track record, no previous maturity or character issues and that the issue shouldn’t hurt him.
Many Buckeye fans, myself included, were rubbed the wrong way by Ezekiel Elliott’s comments to the media after the loss. It’s fine for a player to disagree with the play-calling and other issues related to the team. But those grievances should be aired behind closed doors…not into the microphones and TV cameras of local news affiliates. (That’s my take.)
Many others had no problem with what Elliott said. Their position seems to be that so long as he was correct in what he said (and they feel that he was), then it was fine for him to air his views in public. (jj)
*Update: Monday afternoon, Ezekiel Elliott offered an apology on Twitter. In it, he says that he doesn’t regret what he said in regard to the play-calling, but is sorry for the controversy around his remarks. He does say that he regrets revealing his intentions to leave after this year during that post-game press conference. Zeke’s Tweet:
[socialpoll id=”2311180″]I am sorry for all those offended by the statements made by me Saturday after OUR loss. My intentions were not to point fingers at anyone for OUR failure. I hope everyone can understand how strongly I love this team and this university and how much I wanted to win that game but I do not regret anything I said. I have given nothing but blood, sweat and tears for this university and team ever since I stepped on campus in Columbus and have always put the team before myself. I don’t care if I rushed for 20 yards or 200 yards but I just want to win that game. I agree that it was the wrong time and place to say that I was going to leave after this year. But I am not leaving after this season because we lost that game. I could have told you a month ago that that was going to be my last game in the Shoe as you can see I was very emotional before the game. Finally, I just want Buckeye Nation to know I am sorry for all controversy and unrest I caused in the past couple of days. But I promise you all will get a focused and prepared team this Saturday when we travel to Ann Arbor. GO BUCKS!
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