Ezekiel Elliott, fresh off a Second Circuit-ordered stay of his suspension which allows him to play in Week 9, emphasized Friday that he intends to fight the NFL until the end in order to clear his name of domestic violence allegations, according to David Helman of the Cowboys' official site.
Asked if he would accept the ban, Elliott said: "No. I mean, this is bigger than a suspension, it's bigger than football. It's them trying to make me something I'm not. I'm not an abuser. That's not who I am. This is my name, this is my reputation. This is something I'm going to have to live with beyond football. So every day is worth fighting for."
The Second Circuit's decision only ensures Elliott will be eligible to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The NFL confirmed Friday that Elliott's suspension will be enforced for the playoffs if his latest appeal attempt delays the ban. In the league's suspension letter to Elliott, they stated he would be sidelined for "six (6) regular-season games."
"I think they're going to have to do whatever they said in the papers," said Elliott, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Elliott was accused of multiple domestic violence incidents by ex-girlfriend Tiffany Thompson. He wasn't charged, but the NFL decided to punish him in August for violating the league's personal conduct policy after a yearlong investigation, leading to a legal battle that's been ongoing ever since.
