Are You 'That Guy' - How Zeke Elliot Followed Witten's Lead His Rookie Year

I stumbled across this article on the Dallas Morning News Website.  To summarize, former Cowboys running back DeMaro Murray sent a 3 word text to rookie running back Ezekiel Elliot as advice: Watch No. 82. 

Are you ‘That Person?’  Are you someone that others can look to as a model for how to approach work, school, athletics, life, etc?  If not, what can you change RIGHT NOW to become so?  As my favorite quotes states:

'The time is always right to do what’s right.'
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The full article is below.  I have highlighted some of the key points that I took.  You can find the original article here.



ORLANDO, Fla. -- This week's Pro Bowl practices and skills competition have been much like the entire Cowboys season. All eyes are on Ezekiel Elliott.

Dancing, joking, photo-bombing, shaking pompoms and celebrating a dodgeball victory by taking his shirt off are all part of a normal day for Elliott.

But watching the constant entertainment raises an interesting question: Who does the center of attention watch?

During the 2016 season, it was Jason Witten.

DeMarco Murray began training camp his rookie year by standing on the sidelines. Dealing with a hamstring injury, the Cowboys running back decided it was best to study the veteran players.

Witten's daily habits immediately caught his attention.

Five years later, Murray, now with Tennessee, sent Elliott a text message after Dallas drafted him fourth overall in April. His advice: Watch No. 82.

What exactly should he have been looking for?

"Every and anything," Murray said Thursday morning after the AFC's Pro Bowl practice at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. "Anything he's doing, working-wise, working out-wise, film-wise, using the bathroom, whatever it takes, watch 82.

"He'll lead the way and show you how to do things the right way."

Elliott says he followed those directions. Well, maybe not the bathroom part.

"Witten was my guy," Elliott said Thursday after the NFC's practice. "I stayed in Wit's hip pocket and did everything I could to learn from him, learn how to be a pro."

Murray also advised him to "take care of your guys." Elliott did just that last month when he gave each of the team's offensive linemen John Deere utility vehicles.

The gift was Elliott's way of showing appreciation for their contribution to a rookie year that included a rushing title, a Pro Bowl invite, first-team All-Pro recognition and likely Rookie of the Year honors.

Murray set the tone for Cowboys locker room gifts in 2014. En route to recording a franchise single-season rushing record of 1,845 yards, Murray gifted each of the starting offensive linemen iMac desktop computers.

After seeing what Elliott was able to accomplish on the field in his first season, Murray figures that what he did in his fourth season won't stand as the franchise record for much longer.

"He'll get it someday," Murray said.

Elliott didn't play much during the second half of a Week 16 blowout victory over Detroit. He didn't play at all in Week 17. The Cowboys had already locked up the top seed in the NFC playoffs.

And still, Elliott led the league with 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns on 322 carries.

He averaged 21.4 rushing attempts per game. In 2014, Murray averaged 24.5. Elliott is likely to see a larger workload and more production in his second season.

"I'm a perfectionist," Elliott said, "so I'm definitely not satisfied."

How much better can he get?

"The sky is the limit," he responded.

Murray kept up with Elliott's first NFL season. He expected to see a good runner. It was the blocking and pass catching that impressed him most.

"That caught my eye," Murray said. "He's a tough guy. I have a lot of respect for a guy that will run the ball and do those other two things."

Elliott became annoyed at times during the season when he was often asked about breaking Eric Dickerson's NFL rookie rushing record of 1,808 yards. He won't get those questions anymore.

They will be replaced by questions about Murray's 1,845 yards.

Elliott flashed a big smile Thursday when told that Murray said he'll eventually break his record.

Elliott then said: "That's the plan."