In an interview with 105.3 The Fan, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones revealed that Ezekiel Elliott will be considered for the team’s Ring of Honor.
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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan said Ezekiel Elliott will be considered for the Cowboys Ring of Honor. He compared Elliott playing Sunday at AT&T Stadium to Emmitt Smith coming back to face the Cowboys while with the Cardinals. Jones said he was holding out hope before…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 29, 2023
‘I Miss Him’ – Jerry Jones Reminisces on Time With Ezekiel Elliott
When asked if the former Cowboys running back deserved future Ring of Honor consideration, Jones said, “I sure do.”
“I just can’t describe the positive thing that Zeke brings,” Jones said in the interview. “It’s what he did for the team, and frankly, I thought that he was very influential in the image of the Cowboys. And I mean that positively…
“To me, I look to that when I think of the Ring of Honor. Not only what he did with the stats on the field, not only what he was as a punishing runner, but also what he did to lift the franchise.”
During his seven years in Dallas, Elliott totaled 8,262 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns, making him the third-leading rusher in franchise history. The Cowboys released Elliott in March, and he signed with the Patriots in August. Jones said his presence on and off the field made him a special player for the team.
“I miss him,” Jones said. “He talked about that he didn’t hear a lot from me. We did talk after he had made the decision. There was a lot of me that, I wanted the best for him, of course, but still I want the best for the Cowboys.
“I was kind of laying in the weeds thinking that it might not go good for him out here with another team and that we would, at the end, be able to do something. I knew that wasn’t going to be the case when Bill Belichick called about him and started asking all of the right questions.”
Following the interview, there was backlash on social media as fans suggested that other former players, such as former running back Emmitt Smith or former coach Jimmy Johnson, should be inducted before Elliott.
What has he done to contribute to winning? We didn't win anything worth a damn with him. Fun player, good memories but this is disrespectful to Emmitt
— Aniello Piro (@MediaByAP) September 29, 2023
Imagine Zeke getting in the ring of honor before Jimmy
— Financial Clout (@FinancialClout) September 29, 2023
The Cowboys will face Elliott and the Patriots this Sunday in a matchup that is sure to unveil many emotions for both the team and Elliott.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
So far this season, Elliott has rushed for 122 total yards and put up a season-high 80 yards in the Patriots’ win against the Jets last week.