Ezekiel Elliott is one of the biggest names in the National Football League (NFL), and rightly so. His rookie season statistics include 1,631 total rushing yards (1st in the NFL in 2016-2017), 15 touchdowns and only a mere five fumbles despite being the number one running back for America’s Team. However, an unfortunate issue has been following Elliott: domestic abuse. A three judge panel in the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals denied the superstar’s motion for a preliminary injunction to negate a six game suspension by the NFL for allegations of domestic violence against Tiffany Thompson, Elliott’s former girlfriend. In an online article by Kate Hairopoulos at the Dallas Morning News on Nov. 12, 2017, Thompson accused Elliott of abusing her for several days in July of 2016 before and on the former first round draft pick’s 21st birthday. Although Elliott was not charged nor prosecuted in court, the NFL suspended him.

Around the league, the same question is being asked: should he have been suspended by the NFL? Well, to put it bluntly, no. In order to discuss such issues, which are becoming more and more prevalent in our culture, one thing must be made crystal clear; domestic assault is wrong, immoral and those who commit such heinous acts should rightly be punished. Chivalry, politeness and respect have been unfortunately crushed in our modern culture, and cease to exist. Despite this, it is inexcusable to engage in acts of assault of any sort, especially domestic and sexual.

All of this points to one underlying factor, which is the evidence. Although he was suspended by Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, the Cowboy running back was not found guilty in a court of law due to a lack of evidence to support Ms. Thompson’s allegations. Of course, the NFL is a private company and they have the right to do whatever they want. Elliott’s contract with the Cowboys and the NFL states that the league can suspend him at any time, but that does not make a strong case to suggest that he is actually guilty. However, if such proof arises that Elliott did in fact physically assault his ex-girlfriend, a suspension and maybe even an ejection from the NFL, seems rather reasonable. The NFL has had a big problem with domestic assault over the years and it is about time that the NFL needs to crack down on domestic assault committed by its own players. According to the USA Today, NFL Player Arrest Database, 55.4% of NFL arrests (relative to the national average for men ages 25 to 29) are instances of domestic abuse. Dez Bryant (DAL), Montee Ball (NE), and Johnny Manziel (CLE) are just a few examples of players who have admitted to domestic assault. The total amount of arrests in the NFL in 2017 (34), has already surpassed the amount from 2016 (28).

In America, we ought to believe in due process and Elliott should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. If the NFL wanted to show a message and strongly condemn domestic assault, they need to suspend the players who are actually guilty of domestic assault. For example, Josh Brown, a former kicker for the New York Giants. Brown repeatedly admitted to abusing his wife, according to an article from ESPN on Oct. 20, 2016. Brown, who was released by the Giants on Oct. 25, 2017 after admitting his abuse to the Giants, is a perfect example of the type of player who should never play in the NFL again.

The culture of our society plays a massive impact to this rising issue. Some things need to be made clear regarding sexual and domestic violence. Abusing women, of any sort, is wrong and should not be tolerated at all and if you are guilty of sexual/domestic abuse in a court of law, you should face the necessary consequences. That being said, because of a lack of circumstantial evidence, Ezekiel Elliott deserves to play in the rest of the Cowboys’ games this year.