Ezekiel Elliott reached out to a grieving family with a kind gesture, according to a report.
Jaylon McKenzie, an 8th grader who was a top football prospect, was shot and killed while leaving a party after being struck by a stray bullet on Saturday night. The 14-year-old was featured in Sports Illustrated last year and already had scholarship offers from Missouri and Illinois.
His family is going through a difficult grieving period, and Elliott reached out and offered to pay for the funeral costs, according to 105.3 FM’s Ben Rogers.
Tragedy in STL this wkd as 8th-grade football phenom was killed by a stray bullet. I’ve learned Ezekiel Elliott (from the area) reached out to the family to cover the funeral costs. Kind gesture from someone who continues to grow off the field. Sad story: https://t.co/PMUSJOXOHJ
— Ben Rogers (@BenRogers) May 8, 2019
Elliott is from the St. Louis area, nearby the East St. Louis area McKenzie is from.
That’s a generous and thoughtful offer from Elliott, who has been trying to be a positive influence in the community this offseason despite taking some heat.
He also received some positive attention for comforting a fan hit by a puck at a recent Dallas Stars playoff game:
The best way to feel better after getting hit by a puck?
Selfies with @EzekielElliott! #STLvsDAL pic.twitter.com/SSrWLaH41X
— #StanleyCup on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 30, 2019
Nothing can replace the tragic loss of family member, but the offer to ease the financial burden helps.
