Elliott learning how to be celebrity from rookie mistakes

It appears that Ezekiel Elliott has realized he's a celebrity.

The Dallas Cowboys star running back got into some hot water through his first year as an NFL personality, catching flack for visiting a marijuana dispensary in Seattle and exposing a woman's breast at a St. Patrick's Day parade.

At 21, it may be difficult to adjust to life when everyone you meet already knows who you are, but Elliott is learning from his mistakes and modifying how he lives his public life.

"Just kind of want to stay out the way," Elliott said Wednesday, according to Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News. "Whatever you do is going to be seen. That's what I've been doing for the past six weeks."

Elliott isn't crediting any one thing to what caused his realization, other than the overall experience of being a star for the Cowboys.

"It's just life," said Elliott. "You learn from your mistakes. If you don't, it can be brutal."

Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown confirmed that he's noticed a different, more focused Elliott this spring.

"He's slowed down a little bit," Brown said. "He understands the opportunity that is before him... I've seen him get more into his craft."