History of Ezekiel Elliott in Timeline
Ezekiel "Zeke" Elliott is an American professional football running back known for his time with the Dallas Cowboys. A standout at Ohio State, he was drafted fourth overall by the Cowboys in 2016. During his seven seasons with Dallas, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors, leading the NFL in rushing yards in both 2016 and 2018. After a season with the New England Patriots in 2023, he returned to the Cowboys in 2024.
1977: Tony Dorsett's Record
In 1977, Tony Dorsett achieved the mark of being the first Cowboys rookie to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season, a record that Ezekiel Elliott matched in 2016.
1981: George Rogers' Rookie Season
In 1981, George Rogers had 1,674 rushing yards, the second most by a rookie, surpassed only by Eric Dickerson and ahead of Ezekiel Elliott.
1983: Eric Dickerson's Rookie Record
In 1983, Eric Dickerson set the rookie record with 1,808 rushing yards, surpassing Ezekiel Elliott's rookie year performance.
July 22, 1995: Ezekiel Elliott's Birth
On July 22, 1995, Ezekiel Elijah Elliott, nicknamed "Zeke", was born. He would later become an American professional football running back.
1997: Red Kettle Campaign
Since 1997, the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day football game halftime show has traditionally kicked off the Red Kettle campaign.
2007: Comparison to Adrian Peterson
Before the draft, Ezekiel Elliott was labeled the most complete back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007.
2012: Offensive Player of the Year
In 2012, as a junior, Ezekiel Elliott was named the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offensive player of the year after rushing for 1,802 yards and 34 touchdowns.
2013: College Selection
In 2013, Ezekiel Elliott signed with Ohio State University, declining offers from other schools, including his parents' alma mater, the University of Missouri.
2013: Freshman Season at Ohio State
In 2013, as a true freshman at Ohio State University, Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 262 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns, serving as a backup to Carlos Hyde.
2014: Heisman Trophy Candidate
Ezekiel Elliott's success at the end of the 2014 season made him a front-runner for the 2015 Heisman Trophy.
2014: Consecutive 100-yard games streak begins
From 2014 to 2015, Ezekiel Elliott had a streak of 15 consecutive 100-yard games which was second only to Archie Griffin.
2014: Starting Role and Academic Honors
In 2014, Ezekiel Elliott became the starting running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Conference team.
2014: Offensive MVP Awards
In 2014, Ezekiel Elliott was named the Offensive MVP of both the 2015 Sugar Bowl and the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
2015: Rushing Records in 2015
In 2015, Ezekiel Elliott achieved several rushing records at Ohio State, including 23 rushing touchdowns which was third most in a season and tying for a school record of 12 100-yard rushing games.
2015: All-American Honors
In 2015, Ezekiel Elliott earned second-team All-American honors while playing college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
2015: Sugar Bowl Performance
In 2015, during the Sugar Bowl against #1 Alabama, Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 230 yards on 20 carries in a 42–35 victory, earning the Offensive Player of the Game award.
April 28, 2016: Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
On April 28, 2016, Ezekiel Elliott was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft.
May 18, 2016: Signs Rookie Contract
On May 18, 2016, Ezekiel Elliott signed a four-year rookie contract with the Dallas Cowboys reportedly worth $24.9 million.
2016: Rookie Milestone
After the ninth game of the 2016 season, Ezekiel Elliott became the second Cowboys rookie to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.
2016: Domestic Violence Accusations
In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott was accused of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend, which led to an NFL investigation and subsequent suspension in 2017.
2016: Drafted by Dallas Cowboys
In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott was selected by the Dallas Cowboys fourth overall in the NFL draft.
August 11, 2017: NFL Suspends Elliott
On August 11, 2017, the NFL suspended Ezekiel Elliott for the first six games of the 2017 season for violating the personal conduct policy, stemming from accusations of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend in 2016.
October 12, 2017: Suspension Reinstated
On October 12, 2017, the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals announced that Ezekiel Elliott's suspension had been reinstated, requiring him to serve the six-game suspension.
2017: NFL Top 100 Ranking
In 2017, Ezekiel Elliott was ranked seventh by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players and was the highest-ranked running back.
2018: NFL Top 100 Ranking
Ezekiel Elliott was ranked 54th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.
2018: Second Rushing Title and Pro Bowl Nomination
In 2018, Ezekiel Elliott finished the season with 1,434 rushing yards and won the rushing title for the second time in three seasons, also earning a second Pro Bowl nomination.
2018: League Rushing Yards Leader
In 2018, Ezekiel Elliott led the league in rushing yards for the second time in his career.
April 17, 2019: Fifth-Year Option Picked Up
On April 17, 2019, the Dallas Cowboys picked up the fifth-year option on Ezekiel Elliott's contract.
2019: Third Pro Bowl Nomination
Ezekiel Elliott earned his third Pro Bowl nomination for 2019.
2019: NFL Top 100 Ranking
Ezekiel Elliott was ranked 18th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
2019: Elliott's 2019 Season Performance
In 2019, Elliott concluded the season with 301 carries for 1,357 yards, 12 touchdowns, 54 receptions for 420 yards, and two touchdowns across 15 games.
August 2020: Elliott Becomes Shareholder of OnCore Golf Technology, Inc.
In August 2020, Elliott became a shareholder of OnCore Golf Technology, Inc., a golf ball manufacturer based in Buffalo, New York.
2020: Elliott's 2020 Season Performance
In 2020, Elliott ended the season with 244 carries for 979 yards, six touchdowns, 52 receptions for 338 yards, and two touchdowns across 15 games.
2020: NFL Top 100 Players of 2020 Ranking
In 2020, Elliott was ranked 24th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
May 2021: Elliott Cited After Dog Bites Incident
In May 2021, Elliott was cited by police after one of his dogs bit and injured two people in his Frisco, Texas, neighborhood.
August 27, 2021: Cowboys Restructure Elliott's Contract
On August 27, 2021, the Cowboys restructured Elliott's contract by converting $8.6 million of his base salary into a signing bonus.
2022: Release from the Cowboys
After the 2022 season, Ezekiel Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys.
2022: Elliott's 2022 Season Performance
In 2022, Elliott completed the season with 231 carries for 876 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 17 receptions for 92 yards across 15 games.
March 15, 2023: Cowboys Release Elliott
On March 15, 2023, the Cowboys released Elliott.
August 16, 2023: Elliott Signs with New England Patriots
On August 16, 2023, Elliott signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.
2023: Elliott's 2023 Season Performance
In 2023, Elliott finished the season with 184 carries for 642 yards, three touchdowns, and 51 receptions for 313 yards across 17 games.
2023: Played for the New England Patriots
In 2023, Ezekiel Elliott played for the New England Patriots.
April 30, 2024: Elliott Re-Signs with Dallas Cowboys
On April 30, 2024, Elliott signed a one-year contract to return to the Dallas Cowboys.
December 2024: Cowboys and Elliott Mutually Part Ways
In December 2024, the Cowboys and Elliott agreed to mutually part ways after Elliott requested to be released.
2024: Re-signed with the Cowboys
In 2024, Ezekiel Elliott re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
January 6, 2025: Elliott Signs with Los Angeles Chargers Practice Squad
On January 6, 2025, Elliott signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.
2026: Contract Through 2026
On September 4, 2019, Ezekiel Elliott signed a six-year extension with the Cowboys, keeping him under contract through the 2026 season.
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