NFL, NFLPA clash over alleged reports of blaming alleged victim in Ezekiel Elliott case

The NFL called out the NFL Players' Association after saying it had received reports of the union “spreading derogatory information” to media outlets about the woman whose claims of domestic violence led to Dallas Cowboys running Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension.

“It’s a common tactic to attempt to prove the innocence of the accused by discrediting the victim,” the NFL said in a statement on Wednesday. “Common or not, these tactics are shameful. 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.”

The NFLPA responded by saying it had not engaged in such tactics.

"The public statement issued on behalf of every NFL owner is a lie," the NFLPA's statement read. "The NFLPA categorically denies the accusations made in this statement. We know the League office has a history of being exposed for its lack of credibility. This is another example of the NFL's hypocrisy on display and an attempt to create a sideshow to distract from their own failings in dealing with such serious issues. They should be ashamed for stooping to new lows."

The statement appeared on the NFLPA's official Twitter account in a message that appeared to ask the NFL to prove the union had leaked the information. The tweet has since been deleted. 

Yahoo Sports reported that a text exchange between the alleged victim and friend was cited in “a portion of the NFL Players Association’s response to the NFL regarding Elliott’s suspension.” Elliott’s appeal is scheduled for Aug. 29.

USA TODAY Sports does not identify alleged victims of domestic violence.

The NFL cited a July 2016 incident between the alleged victim and Elliott as the main factor in issuing the six-game ban, the baseline punishment under the NFL’s domestic violence policy.  Elliott was not arrested when the alleged altercation took place in Columbus, Ohio, and prosecutors chose not to file criminal charges.

The league, however, said in a statement that “substantial and persuasive evidence" supported the suspension after a 13-month investigation by the league. 

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