The National Football League did not waste any time Wednesday calling out the NFL Players Association for what the league believes is the union throwing out derogatory reports surrounding the alleged victim in the Ezekiel Elliott domestic violence case.
Hold on to your hats, this release sent out through Twitter by the NFL PR department is rather amazing.
New NFL statement pic.twitter.com/KJ64RDHVB2
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) August 16, 2017
“Over the past few days we’ve received multiple reports of the NFLPA spreading derogatory information to the media about the victim in Ezekiel Elliott discipline case,” the statement read. “It’s a common tactic to attempt to prove the innocence of the accused by discrediting the victim — in this case Ms. Thompson — when coming forward to report such abuse.”
The NFL is likely pointing to this report from Yahoo Sports indicating that the alleged victim discussed leveraging sex videos with Elliott as a way to get money from the Dallas Cowboys running back.
“Common or not, these tactics are shameful,” the statement continued. “Efforts to shame and blame victims are often what prevent people from coming forward to report violence and/or seek help in the first place.”
Needless to say, this is only going to get uglier.
Elliott has already officially filed the appeal of the six-game suspension. He’s also said to be willing to take this entire process through the courts. It’s going to be a drawn-out process, one that likely includes a lot of public bickering between the two sides.