Cowboys' Jones calls arbitrator Henderson 'a really great friend of mine'

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is apparently preparing himself for Ezekiel Elliott's appeal of a six-game suspension issued on Aug. 11.

Elliott was sanctioned for a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy and will appeal the decision on Tuesday in New York.

The running back will meet with arbitrator Harold Henderson, who is tasked with determining whether Elliott's suspension ought to be upheld, reduced, or stricken entirely.

Related: Elliott makes preseason debut while preparing for appeal

Jones was asked if Henderson is a neutral party ahead of Elliott's hearing, and the Cowboys' owner offered a somewhat cryptic answer.

"Harold is a really great friend of mine. He was at my (Hall of Fame) party," Jones said to Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News.

Jones vehemently defended Elliott against any wrongdoing during the NFL's investigation and it appears that he's trying to gain his star running back favor with the person who determines his fate for the upcoming season.