Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh has defended the character of defensive lineman Jordan Elliott following his release from the team due to a gun-related incident. Saleh characterized the event as a "cry for help" rather than purely a criminal act.
Elliott was released after reports surfaced that he retrieved a gun from his car in the parking lot after an altercation with center JC Latham during practice. "I will stand on the table for Jordan's character," Saleh told reporters. "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 expressed his belief that Elliott, a father and husband with no prior criminal record, acted out of distress. "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," Saleh said. "And the first question that I think everyone forgets to ask is why would a great man, a great father... why did he go off the rails and grab a gun?"
He commended the Titans organization and the NFL for taking time to thoroughly evaluate the situation and ensure Elliott received necessary support. "To me, those are small signs of a cry of help if you in terms of obviously there's something greater happening," Saleh added. "And I thought the team and 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 drew parallels to the suicides of NFL players Marshawn Kneeland and Rondale Moore last season, suggesting that such incidents can sometimes indicate underlying issues that may go unnoticed. While clarifying that Elliott was not suicidal, Saleh highlighted the importance of recognizing potential signs of distress in players.
"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 stated, emphasizing that the locker room's perception of Elliott differs from public reaction.
Saleh concluded by offering his recommendation to other NFL teams, stating, "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."