Hall of Famer hot take: LT thinks Ezekiel Elliot ‘quit’ during Dallas Cowboys loss

Today in former players opining on current: LaDainian Tomlinson thinks Cowboys’ rusher Ezekiel Elliot gave up on Sunday.

Ezekiel Elliot didn’t exactly have a great game on Sunday when he was held to a career-low nine rushing yards. Last year, he led the league in rushing. So. Yeah. Not great! But giving up? Quitting? That’s a harsh charge. And yet, it’s the one former running back and Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson lobbed his way.

LT was doing his thing on NFL GameDay when the conversation turned to Elliot’s performance during the Cowboys’ 42-17 loss Sunday to the Denver Broncos.

It started well, with Tomlinson saying, “To his credit, [Elliot] didn’t have any room today. Like he was running, getting hit in the backfield, making moves in the backfield. And all of that is okay.”

Then, well, the takes heated up: “I didn’t like the way he quit. I didn’t like that. He absolutely quit on his team today.”

NFL GameDay co-host Deion Sanders almost immediately asked LT to explain, conscientious as he is of how much we the media love to grab quotes out of context and create controversy.

But honestly, the context doesn’t really change much. The message remains that Zeke didn’t do his job:

"First, his attitude on the sideline. He didn’t have any communication with his teammates. Also, he didn’t want to talk to his teammates. Sometimes when things are going wrong, as the leader of that team and as a captain, you have to step up and rally the troops.You have to go to the offensive line and say, ‘Hey, I know it’s tough, but we have to battle. Let’s keep fighting.’ You have to go to the quarterback and say, ‘Hey, I’m not getting it done today. You have to step it up.’"

On one hand, culling analysts from the field of retired players is great — after all, who would know the game better? In fact, Tony Romo’s reception as a commentator has delighted people for just that reason. (Also because he might be psychic.)

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On the other, the tension between former players and current, particularly as it pertains to leadership and on-field conduct is a tale as old as time. May they continue to judge each other until the end of time.