Jerry Jones Responds to Backlash About 'Zeke Who?' Joke That Made the Cowboys RB Feel 'Disrespected'
By Thomas Carannante
It's Jerry's world. Ezekiel Elliott is just living in it.
The Dallas Cowboys owner, who approved a long-term contract extension for inebacker Jaylon Smith on Monday, went on to field questions about his other players that are in need of deals sooner rather than later, specifically Elliott, Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper.
Zeke was naturally a big topic of conversation, and Jones was faced with a question that featured a point of contention between himself and his star running back.
Jerry Jones on backlash from Ezekiel Elliott’s agent for his ‘Zeke who?’ joke: “I’ve earned the right to joke with Zeke. Let me be real clear about that. I’ve earned the right to joke with Zeke.”
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 20, 2019
Jones dropped the "Zeke Who?" joke after unsung runner Tony Pollard's promising outing against the Los Angeles Rams in the team's Week 2 preseason win. Elliott and his agent made it known that they felt disrespected by it, regardless of its apparent comedic intent.
Now that Jaylon Smith got paid had to ask “Now that Jaylon's got a slice of the pie, does it affect how big of a pie Amari, Dak, and Zeke can get?”
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) August 20, 2019
JERRY: There's less pie left, make no bones about it.
SLATER: That's what I wanted to clarify.
JERRY: There is less pie pic.twitter.com/1GJLfrqslE
Well, Jones said he felt he's "earned" the right to joke around with Elliott, whether or not the former No. 4 pick feels that way. The lack of a new contract is really hitting home for the two-time NFL rushing leader, who has a fifth-year option on his rookie deal that could keep him away from free agency until 2021.
Again, to the #EzekielElliott 'Zeke Who?' fake controversy: Immediately after Jerry Jones' joke, he adds to the handful of us there in Hawaii: 'We're having some fun. And NOT at your (Zeke's) expense.'
— mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports) August 20, 2019
If you are not acknowledging this by now, you are willfully ignorant. pic.twitter.com/APAsmcL29R
Nonetheless, Jones did say he has a plan to make sure he keeps the team's young core intact and this will all end when Zeke sees the offer he wants.
That's certainly no joke.