Emmitt Smith via Dallas Cowboys YouTube

The Cowboys have decided to cut ties with star running back Ezekiel Elliott, and that’s not sitting too well with a former Dallas legend. The franchise made the move to send the ball carrier packing late last week. That prompted the legendary Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time rushing leader, to say that the team had “no love” for Elliott.

Emmitt Smith via Dallas Cowboys YouTube

Owner Jerry Jones drafted Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he became the team’s feature back right away. In seven seasons in Big D, the former Ohio State standout logged 8,262 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He has scored 68 touchdowns in his career thus far.

The team originally envisioned the pairing of Elliott with quarterback Dak Prescott (the fourth-round pick in ’16) would be the cornerstone of another Super Bowl title for the storied franchise, but it never materialized. Despite putting up solid statistics, they never had any real postseason success, managing just a 2-4 playoff record.

Ezekiel Elliott via Dallas Cowboys YouTube

Despite that, he’s still only 28, and he’s one of Prescott’s best friends on the team. So, it left a few ‘Boys backers scratching their heads. Including their greatest running back ever.

“Wow, this is amazing to me – no disrespect to (remaining Cowboys RB) Malik Davis,” Smith commented on the Dallas Cowboys’ Instagram. “Our starting running back is gone and his backup has a broken leg? The NFL stands for not for long. Everyone else, go get your money because they have no love for you.”

Smith continued his criticism of the situation, “It doesn’t make sense and this is one of those things that make you shack (sic) your head. Thank you, Z for giving everything you have including (playing) injured all of last year. This is why the NFL stands for not for long. Everybody else, go get your money because they have no love for you.”

Dallas Cowboys Instagram

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Emmitt Smith won three Super Bowls as a member of the Cowboys, alongside fellow Hall of Famers quarterback Troy Aikman and wide receiver Michael Irvin. ‘The Triplets’ helped revive the fallen franchise after Jones took over and named Jimmy Johnson as his head coach.

Smith would go on to break the all-time rushing record as a member of the team, but would eventually play his final two seasons for the Arizona Cardinals. He retired in 2005, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Emmitt Smith’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Display Photo Credit: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Elliott is a three-time Pro Bowler, who led the league in rushing in 2016 and 2018. He currently ranks third in Cowboys franchise history in rushing yards and touchdowns – behind Smith and Tony Dorsett, respectively.

While there is a longshot chance that Elliott could return to the Cowboys next season at a discounted price, the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals are also reportedly interested in signing him, according to CBS Sports.

Ezekiel Elliott via NFL Films YouTube

What do you make of Elliott’s criticism of the Dallas Cowboys and NFL teams?

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