The NFL has filed its “appeal and an emergency motion for a stay” on the Ezekiel Elliott ruling, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (via Twitter). The reporter notes that the NFL is specifically asking for that stay by September 26th, at which time (if successful) the running back would presumably serve his suspension. The league’s request is below (via Garafolo on Twitter):
“To minimize disruptive uncertainty, the NFL requests a stay ruling ideally by September 19, 2017 (when Week 3 practices begin), but no later than September 26, 2017 (Week 4). The NFL stands ready to brief the appeal with whatever degree of expedition this Court deems appropriate. But the process of remedying the district court’s massive overreach should begin as promptly as possible by staying its unprecedented and indefensible order.”
Let’s take a look at some other notes on the Elliott ordeal:
- Predictably, Elliott’s team released a statement following the NFL’s decision to file an appeal (via Ian Rapoport on Twitter): “The NFL’s latest legal maneuvering appears to be indicative of a league with an agenda: Trying to navigate a public relations crisis rather than focus on fairness and fact finding. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the NFL believes it can write its own rules and will stop at nothing to further its agenda of enforcing its unfounded assertions regarding Mr. Elliott. Most recently this would include the NFL seeking an expedited hearing on staying the preliminary injunction by frivolously arguing that the NFL is somehow ‘irreparably harmed’ by Elliott playing while the Courts decide whether the investigation and appeal was fundamentally unfair. Mr. Elliott and his team will continue to zealously oppose any of the NFL’s court filings.”
- Sports Illustrated’s Michael McCann notes that Judge Amos Mazzant’s decisions aren’t usually reversed. Since be became a federal judge in 2009, 19 of his decisions have been appealed…with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversing those decisions only twice. Of course, as the writer notes, the same could be said for Judge Richard Berman, whose decision in favor of quarterback Tom Brady was reversed.
- While the NFL is hoping to have the process wrapped up relatively quickly, precedent says that that might not be the case. McCann notes that the Brady appeal took seven months, while Adrian Peterson‘s appeal took 17 months. On the flip side, the previous appeals “challenged a federal district judge vacating an arbitration award,” while the current appeal is in regards to “a preliminary injunction.” Ultimately, the timing of the decision could play a significant role in whether Elliott will be suspended this season.
This is the exact reason why fans and players should have stood behind Tom Brady when he fought the NFL witch hunt.
I agree, but the problem there is that the NFL needed a scapegoat and couldn’t go after Belichick again. Didn’t they say he’d get a lifetime ban if he cheated again?
Belichick has never been threatened with any ban or even a suspension at any point.
The only thing he’s ever been slapped with a $250K fine for that Spygate nonsense.
Either way the witch hunt on Brady has been Debunked by 8 different scientific research facilities including MIT. Yes, I believe a collection of more than 100 unaffiliated scientists over a bunch of NFL front office goons with an axe to grind!
He isn’t serving a game this year! Got him on the cheap in fantasy. The legal wheels turn slowly
This league has turned into a joke the Commissioner needs to be fired he over steps in every way possible
I do agree a man should never hit a woman or child but he shouldn’t be suspended for 6 plus game without a conviction maybe half that and a very big fine maybe if you mess with the money they will stop being so stupid everyone makes mistakes it’s life get over it if it happens again then you through the book at him
I agree completely.
Amazing how the league was lax’d on Ray Rice until the video came out, and now a 180 on Zeke. While both deserve(d) suspensions, the league is inconsistent on their message and approach. The NFL office is a joke.
Roger Goodell trash af the NFL owners trash af honestly the players should just strike and let the NFL realize the owners make $0 without them
The problem is the players would also make $0. And most of the owners have so much sitting around in non-liquid assets they could just sell some stuff and still be set for life.
The big problem with your idea is that striking hurts the players more then the league in the short term. League pay is very top heavy, like 90% of league pay is directed towards 20% of the players, 80% live on 20% of the league wide pay, that 80% depend on bonus money to make a years worth of mortgage payments and for them and their families to live on. Striking is a big decision for the majority of the players, the NFLPA could have gotten 3rd party arbitration from the NFL had they really cared. Frankly the NFLPA would be wise to follow the MLBPA and take control of and be in protection of their assets which are these players.
I love what Zeke is doing. I hope he becomes the players rep for the NFLPA and makes life miserable for the NFL front office.
Goodell is a monster.