Rookie Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott couldn't help himself. With a giant Salvation Army kettle located behind the end zone, Elliott jumped in the kettle after scoring a touchdown Sunday night.
#FEEDZEKE #FEEDZEKE #FEEDZEKE #FEEDZEKE
TOUCHDOWN, @ezekielelliott! #DallasCowboys https://t.co/xGqO4TGHe6
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2016
Elliott was penalized for the celebration by NFL referees, but thankfully for Elliott, the Cowboys still managed to win the game.
Immediately after the celebration, the Salvation Army used social media to request donations from football fans. Within hours of the touchdown, the Salvation Army was flooded with football fans making pledges to the charitable organization.
A Salvation Army representative told ESPN that it had collected $182,000 online from late Sunday night through early early Monday morning, which marked a 61 percent increase from a similar time frame last year.
Even Elliott himself said he would match whatever fine the NFL would impose on him for the celebration with a donation to the Salvation Army. Although the NFL announced on Monday that the running back would not be fined for the celebration, Elliott said that he would still donate to the Salvation Army.
“I think the Salvation Army should give him the highest award,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told ESPN. “My dream would be for the NFL to really fine me a lot of money and I’ll take them to the Supreme Court and we’ll get the Salvation Army more attention than anybody can get them. So let’s go.”
According to the Salvation Army's mission, it provides assistance and resources for those who are in poverty and hungry.
