Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was running down the open field when he encountered Chicago Bears safety Chris Prosinski.
Prosinski went low and Elliott, a high school state champion in the 110m and 300m hurdles, decided to go high and hurdle the defender:
The track and field community took notice of Elliott’s hurdle.
Lolo Jones, a 100m hurdler who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, gave Elliott grades of an A++ for difficulty and an A for technique on Twitter. She wrote that it “hands down would’ve been best NFL hurdle technique of the yr.” if a second Bears defender, Jonathan Anderson, hadn’t prevented Elliott from landing cleanly:
This was perfect hurdle form until #58 came in and Elliott had to chose between a sloppy trail leg or dying. Difficulty: A++ Technique: A https://t.co/hQlZs9HZV5
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) September 26, 2016
Dawn Harper-Nelson, the 2008 Olympic champion and 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 100m hurdles, also had a positive review of Elliott’s efforts:
That man hurdle @EzekielElliott just took would have been smoother if his trail toe was up. I'll take it since it was on the field.💪🏾😉
— Dawn Harper-Nelson OLY (@DHarp100mH) September 26, 2016
Emma Coburn, the 2016 Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist, thought Elliott’s leap resembled her event:
@TheSeanCannon this is more 'steeple style' than 'hurdle style' 🙈
— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) September 26, 2016
Elliott finished with 30 carries for 140 yards to lead the Cowboys to a 31-17 win during Sunday Night Football.
His mother, Dawn, who was a track and field athlete at the University of Missouri, posted a photo on Twitter to remind everyone where her son inherited his hurling gene from:
hurdling gene comes from momma! 🙌🏽 🏃🏾💨 pic.twitter.com/cKLbBQYluL
— Momma E (@Momma_Elliott) September 26, 2016
MORE: Marquise Goodwin scores touchdown, celebrates with long jump (video)
.@EzekielElliott last night on #SNF:
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 26, 2016
140 rush yards ✔️@dallascowboys win ✔️
One insane hurdle ✔️ pic.twitter.com/Rw5oqWuWKd
In high school, @EzekielElliott won 4 state titles in just two and a half hours. #LEGEND pic.twitter.com/CFHa0Peovc
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 26, 2016
