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Cowboys Icon 8,488 Yards and 83 TD Signs One-Day Contract to Retire at 30 After Chargers Release

Arlington, TX – September 9, 2025

The Dallas Cowboys officially turned the page on an era Sunday, announcing that one of the franchise’s most beloved offensive cornerstones will retire as a Cowboy after signing a ceremonial one-day deal.

It was the fitting close to a career that began with explosive runs and ended with gratitude. Once the beating heart of Dallas’ backfield, he was the face of highlight-reel carries, postseason surges, and the iconic “Feed Me” gesture.

In recent years, his workload steadily diminished, including a short stop with the Chargers. Instead of prolonging his journey elsewhere, he chose to return home — finishing his story where it first started.

That man is Ezekiel Elliott, the powerhouse runner who amassed 8,488 rushing yards and 83 touchdowns across eight seasons in Dallas, trailing only legends Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett on the team’s all-time rushing list.

Selected fourth overall in the 2016 draft, Elliott burst onto the scene with 1,631 yards as a rookie to lead the NFL in rushing. He repeated the feat in 2018 and earned three Pro Bowl nods, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s premier backs of his generation.

His journey wasn’t without turbulence — a six-game suspension in 2017 and scrutiny over waning efficiency later in his career sometimes clouded the narrative. Yet in January football, his physical, bruising style consistently gave Dallas an edge.

By 2024, Elliott was sharing snaps with Tony Pollard and shifted into more of a rotational role, finishing with only 226 yards before being released. But his place in Cowboys lore had already been cemented.

“Zeke is, and always will be, a Cowboy,” team owner Jerry Jones declared. “His energy, his production, and his spirit defined an era.”

For fans, Elliott’s decision to retire in silver and blue marks the end of a chapter written with resilience, fire, and countless Sundays that will live forever in Cowboys memory.

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Former Cowboys QB Charged for Attacking Truck Driver Who ‘Thought He Was Going to Be Killed’
Former NFL star Mark Sanchez has been charged with three misdemeanors in relation to the incident in which he was stabbed and taken to hospital in Indianapolis.  Sanchez, a nine-year NFL quarterback-turned-Fox TV analyst, was rushed to hospital with critical injuries after being stabbed in a dispute with a food delivery truck driver in the early hours of Saturday morning. However, in a shocking turn of events, the 38-year-old was arrested in his hospital bed by Indianapolis police.  Sanchez has now been charged with battery with injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a vehicle, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office announced Sunday morning.    An initial hearing has been scheduled for 8:30am ET with bond set for $300. 'This incident should never have happened,' Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement issued Sunday. 'What began as a disagreement between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated into violence or left anyone seriously injured. As with any case, we will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead.'   Former NFL star Mark Sanchez has been charged with three misdemeanors    He was reportedly stabbed in the chest during a dispute with a food delivery driver at Loughmiller's Pub & Eatery in downtown Indianapolis (pictured)   Sanchez allegedly accosted the truck driver, who believed he was in danger, at a loading dock, according to ESPN.  As the confrontation escalated, the truck driver, out of fear, is said to have sprayed Sanchez in the face with pepper spray.  Sanchez reportedly continued to advance towards the driver, who thought the former quarterback was 'trying to kill me' and pulled a knife and struck him 'two or three times.'  The truck driver said he was then thrown against a dumpster, leaving him to believe he was in a 'life-or-death situation,' before a 'look of shock' came over Sanchez's face and he took off.    Sanchez reportedly told a police officer that 'all he could remember was grabbing for a window.' He added that he didn't know who stabbed him or where the incident occurred.   He is said to have sustained multiple stab wounds to his right torso. The driver also suffered a laceration on his left cheek and was taken to a different hospital than Sanchez for treatment.  Fox Sports presenter Charissa Thompson addressed the incident during the network's NFL Kickoff program on Sunday but did not acknowledge the charges filed against her colleague.  'Friday night in Indianapolis, one of our team members, Mark Sanchez, was involved in an incident that we are still trying to wrap our heads around,' the sportscaster said.      Sanchez, who is married to actress Perry Mattfield, is now recovering in a stable condition 'At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, his family, and all of those involved.'   Sanchez had traveled the Midwest city to call Sunday's Colts-Raiders game for Fox Sports but will now not perform his broadcasting duties. According to Front Office Sports , Sanchez will be replaced in the booth by another ex-quarterback, former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn. Quinn's play-by-play partner for the game will be Chris Myers.   Fox Sports PR said Saturday in a statement: 'Mark Sanchez was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition. We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support.   'Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family's privacy during this time. Indianapolis police said on Saturday that they were investigating an altercation between two men that took place at around 12:30am.    In response to the events, Chief Chris Bailey of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said: 'Proud of our IMPD officers and detectives who stayed focused on our mission and not the noise.   'Their professionalism represents the best of our department. IMPD will continue to be a steady, reliable presence in our city because our community deserves nothing less.'   The former New York Jets star was set to call the Colts-Raiders game on Sunday for Fox Sports     Mark and his wife Perry have twins together, while he also has an eight-year-old son, Daniel (center), from a previous relationship  Sanchez is married to American actress Perry Mattfeld, and the couple have two children together after Perry gave birth to twins in March. Sanchez also has an eight-year-old son, Daniel, from one of his previous relationships.   The former quarterback played 10 seasons in the NFL, including four with the Jets after they selected him with the fifth overall pick in 2009. He later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the then-Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears as a backup.