Even Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett have admitted that Ezekiel Elliott did not put forth his best effort in Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos, but Michael Irvin feels that calling Elliott a quitter is taking things too far.
In an interview on WFAN Wednesday, Irvin said that the “dirtiest” thing you can label an NFL player is a quitter. The Cowboys legend works with LaDainian Tomlinson at the NFL Network, and he is planning to confront his fellow Hall of Famer during this week’s edition of Thursday Night Football after Tomlinson ripped Elliott.
“It’s a different subject in this game, in this sport, because of the commitment that each man makes to all 53 guys that’s on that football field, that’s required to play this game,” Irvin said, via Clarence Hill of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram. “It’s the dirtiest word, guys.”
Irvin enthusiastically defended Elliott on Twitter earlier this week.
Dude thts a (as my Mom wld say a bold face) lie. If u quit I will call u out. Even if u r my Mom. But @EzekielElliott DID NOT QUIT! #toofar https://t.co/gsuRnc76Kq
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) September 19, 2017
You put he didn't look like himself next to the word quit. We should not be using this word near @EzekielElliott name. Period!!!! https://t.co/8p7kNd12NZ
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) September 19, 2017
U don't have to go that far. I NEVER HEAR PEEPS say any of this when a QB don't even chase the guy that intercepted his pass! Why is that?? https://t.co/CSogrxVQc6
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) September 19, 2017
Tomlinson publicly questioned Elliott’s lack of effort on a play where Dak Prescott threw an interception, and he also accused the 22-year-old of sulking on the bench. You can read Tomlinson’s full rant about Elliott here.
Irvin is entitled to his own opinion, but it’s going to be tough for him to win any argument against Tomlinson after Elliott’s own coach called him out. Perhaps saying Elliott “quit” is a bit too strong, but he certainly could have tried a lot harder.
