The NFL released a statement Friday after Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension was placed on hold by U.S. District Court Judge Amos Mazzant III, ruling that the Dallas Cowboys running back didn't receive a fundamentally fair hearing during the appeal process.
Elliott was suspended six games on Aug. 11 due to a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy after the league concluded he struck his ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson. The suspension was upheld Tuesday after Elliott appealed the decision.
Related: Elliott granted temporary restraining order, likely to play 2017 season
The NFL's statement reads as follows:
We strongly believe that the investigation and evidence supported the Commissioner’s decision and that the process was meticulous and fair throughout. We will review the decision in greater detail and discuss next steps with counsel, both in the district court and federal court of appeals.
Elliott's attorneys also released a statement after the suspension was placed on hold, via ESPN's Adam Schefter:
We just learned of the Honorable Amos Mazzant's decision to grant Mr. Elliott's request for a preliminary injunction staying the NFL's six-game suspension. We are very pleased that Mr. Elliott will finally be given the opportunity to have an impartial decision-maker carefully examine the NFL's misconduct. This is just the beginning of the unveiling of the NFL's mishandling as it relates to Mr. Elliott's suspension. As the Court noted, the question of whether Mr. Elliott received a fundamentally fair hearing answered... "he did not". We agree.
