This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh defended Jordan Elliott after the team released the defensive lineman following a gun-related incident.
Saleh confirmed reports that Elliott retrieved a gun from his car in the parking lot following an altercation with center JC Latham at practice, but he passionately defended the 28-year-old.
“I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character. Unfortunately, rules are rules with regards to guns on property. And sometimes it’s far greater than the knee-jerk reaction of kicking somebody when they’re down,” Saleh told reporters on Wednesday.
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“My message to 31 other teams would be if you need a hell of a run stopping d-tackle that can help you on a playoff run, give me a call. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about him. He’s a good man. Had a terrible lapse in judgment that I recognized as a call for help more than a criminal act.”
Saleh praised both the Titans organization and the NFL for taking time to evaluate the situation after learning Elliott had a gun, rather than reacting immediately. He described the incident as a possible cry for help.
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“The reason why I think the NFL and the organization did an outstanding job is because this is a man who is a father, a great husband, he’s never committed a crime in his entire life, and he pulled a gun in the parking lot. And the first question that I think everyone forgets to ask is why would a great man, a great father, a man who shows up on time every day, works his a– off every day, contributes the way he’s supposed to contribute, is well-liked in the locker room, why did he go off the rails and grab a gun?” Saleh said.
“And to me, those are small signs of a cry of help if you in terms of obviously there’s something greater happening. And I thought the team in the NFL did an outstanding job in regard to pausing and asking those questions and checking every single box with regards to getting him the help that he needs.”
Saleh said these “kids” go through a lot and referenced the deaths by suicide of two NFL players, Marshawn Kneeland and Rondale Moore, last season. While he said Elliott was not suicidal, he said that Kneeland and Moore may have shown signs of needing help that went unnoticed.
“It’s unfortunate the way it went down but as far as Jordan’s concerned. and the locker room and all that, I think the locker room and Jordan, I think people see it differently here than the knee-jerk reaction of the of the world,” Saleh said.