INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 16: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) warms up on the field before the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys on December 16, 2018, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys running back reportedly offered to pay for the funeral of eighth-grade football phenom Jaylon McKenzie who was murdered on Saturday night.
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott reportedly reached out to the family of slain football phenom Jaylon McKenzie to cover the funeral expenses, according to 105.3 The Fan in Dallas radio host Ben Rogers.
McKenzie was shot and killed on Saturday after attending a party in Venice, IL near the Illinois-Missouri border. McKenzie reportedly left the party when a fight broke out and he was struck by a stray bullet outside.
The 14-year-old McKenzie had dreams of playing in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams or L.A Chargers. The Belleville, Illinois native was featured in Sports Illustrated’s Future Issue and had offers to from Missouri and Illinois.
This is a touching gesture by Elliott who grew up in the area. Elliott was born in Alton, Illinois and went to high school at John Burroughs School in Ladue, Missouri. Elliott was once in the same shoes as McKenzie, a young promising athlete with a bright future in football.
The Cowboys have raved about the growth and maturity shown by Elliott in recent months. Reaching out to the family in this difficult time to cover the funeral expenses is a moving example of just that by the former Ohio State star.
Hopefully, it provided a small bit of comfort for the family as they mourn the loss of a talented young man. Hopefully, Elliott will be able to establish a longstanding relationship with the family and continue to be of support for them.
You can read more about McKenzie and his life that was tragically cut far too short in this story from CNN’s Amir Vera and Rebekah Riess.