Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh confirmed on Oct. 21 that Jordan Elliott pulled a gun in the team facility's parking lot after a practice altercation last week, leading to the defensive tackle's release this week.
An NFL spokesperson told The Tennessean on Oct. 21 that the Titans "promptly" notified the league about the matter, and it is under review.
Saleh praised the organization and the NFL's response to the incident, citing a "pause" by the team and the league in getting Elliott assistance for what Saleh called a sign for "a cry for help" instead of involving law enforcement.
"And the reason why I think the NFL and the organization did an outstanding job is because this is a man who is father, a great husband. He’s never committed a crime
in his entire life," Saleh said. "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 ass 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?
"And to me, those are small signs of a cry of help. In terms of, obviously there’s something greater happening. And I thought the team and the NFL did an outstanding job with regards to pausing and asking those questions and checking every single box with regards to getting him the help that he needs."
Saleh vouched for Elliott's character despite the incident. The veteran defensive tackle with seven seasons in the NFL played for Saleh in San Francisco last year before joining the Titans in free agency in the spring.
"These kids go through a lot. A lot. And... I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character," Saleh said. "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 are down.
"My message to 31 other teams would be if you need a helluva run-stopping defensive 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 judgement that I recognize as a call for help more than a criminal act."
What happened with Jordan Elliott at the Titans' facility?
Elliott attempted to retrieve a gun from his vehicle after a practice altercation with JC Latham on Oct. 15, according to multiple reports.
John Franklin-Myers calmed Elliott down before the incident escalated, per multiple reports. Elliott was placed on the injury report the next day with a non-injury related/personal designation, then was inactive for the Titans' win over the Colts on Oct. 18.
"Thankfully, nothing (serious) happened," Saleh said on Oct. 21.
Saleh confirmed Franklin-Myers's role in de-escalating the situation.
"The (defensive line) room is really close," Saleh said. "For JFM to go out there and kind of help Jordan through with whatever he was dealing with at that moment I thought was really admirable on JFM’s part."
Saleh also said that Latham is OK after the incident.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Robert Saleh said about Jordan Elliott situation, response from Titans and NFL
