While Dallas is his current home, Ezekiel Elliott still holds a special place inside for the city of St. Louis.
Elliott, a St. Louis native growing up, decided to pay for the funeral of Jaylon McKenzie, a promising eighth-grade football player who was fatally shot over the weekend in St. Louis.
Playing at the team's annual golf tournament on Wednesday, Zeke opted not to speak to reporters about the gesture. But Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones shared his thoughts on the situation.
"It doesn't surprise me," Jones said. "I just think it goes to show you what kind of person Zeke is off the field. He's a caring person."
Head coach Jason Garrett agreed.
"Zeke is really a special guy. He's got a great spirit about him and we see that every day as players and coaches," Garrett said. "He's someone that a lot of people look up to – a lot of people certainly in St. Louis and Missouri, Ohio State, all across this country. If you're a fan of football you know Zeke Elliott. And anybody who's been around him on a daily basis knows what kind of person he is. So it doesn't surprise me one bit."
According to national reports, McKenzie was a playmaking running back who already received Power 5 scholarship offers from Missouri and Illinois and was a rising star nationally on the recruiting trail.
We can only hope that Elliott's gesture provided a bit of comfort for the family as they mourn the loss of a talented young man.
