Ezekiel Elliott, Nolan Carroll, Damien Wilson, David Irving, Jourdan Lewis, Randy Gregory, and now Lucky Whitehead can be added to the list of distractions as the Dallas Cowboys have their first practice of camp today.
Gregory and Irving will both serve suspensions. Gregory will serve a year suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Irving will serve a four-game suspension, for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy.
Now, to where the list of distractions for the Dallas Cowboys gets interesting. Among the suspensions mentioned above, a handful of players have pending legal situations against them. Ezekiel Elliott has a domestic violence incident against him, but it has been suspended due to lack of evidence. However, the NFL could still suspend him if enough evidence for probable cause is present. Elliott has also been held under a microscope for visiting a marijuana shop in his first season, and for an incident where he lifted a woman’s shirt during a parade. This kid just seems to garner the attention of the NFL executives. Whether or not the attention is fair, is a different story entirely. Nolan Carroll, seemingly upon arrival, drank and drove himself into a DUI arrest.
Jourdan Lewis, a recent pick for the Cowboys in the 2017 draft, will go to trial for a domestic violence incident between himself and his girlfriend before the draft. Lewis, 21, pleaded not guilty to the charge on March 16. Under Michigan law, Lewis faces 93 days in jail with a $500 fine if convicted. Since the alleged incident occurred before he was selected by the Cowboys in the third round of this year’s draft, he is not subject to potential NFL discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Adding to the list of Dallas distractions, Damien Wilson was arrested on the 4th of July. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson was arrested Tuesday night on two counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Frisco (Texas) Police Department.
The incident occurred in the Toyota Stadium parking lot during a Freedom Fest event in Frisco shortly after 8 pm CDT. According to the police report, Wilson backed his truck into a woman while parking at the stadium before brandishing a rifle at a man, “causing him to be in fear.”
Wilson, 24, was released from Frisco Detention Center after posting $20,000 bond. As the event of this case unfolded, it was not long before Wilson claimed to have road rage. For the Cowboys, it would seem that they don’t need any more distraction. However, the newest one is a from a now former receiver whom many considered to be a “bubble player”.
First, Lucky Whitehead’s dog was stolen and held for ransom. Most recently, the Cowboys revealed Lucky Whitehead isn’t so lucky.
TMZ reports: “Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead was arrested in Virginia, in June for shoplifting — and now a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The 25-year-old was busted in Prince William County, VA on June 22 for shoplifting/petit larceny under $200.” Whitehead allegedly took stuff from a convenience store.”
Also, according to TMZ, “He was ordered to appear in court on July 6, but according to court records he didn’t show up — so a warrant was issued for his arrest. He’s since been charged with failure to appear.”
Interestingly, neither Whitehead nor the Dallas Cowboys knew about the latest incident with Whitehead. With all of these incidents occurring, there is one pressing question. Can the Cowboys get through these legal issues and do as their “re-commit” mantra states?
For many, playing football is a means to escape rough situations. Playing professional football is also a childhood dream for most in the NFL. Therefore, playing in the NFL is a privilege and should be treated as such.
Not long after the news broke that Whitehead had a warrant for his arrest, he was cut. Ryan Switzer was expected to take over the return role by most major local sports writers. It appears now that Whitehead has been cut, Switzer will indeed have that role.