A Robbie Reader EZEKIEL ELLIOTT Joanne Mattern

PUBLISHERS 2001 SW 31st Avenue Hallandale, FL 33009 www.mitchelllane.com

Ezekiel Elliott book.indd 1 6/21/17 1:06 PM Copyright © 2018 by Mitchell Lane Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Printed and bound in the United States of America.

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A Robbie Reader Biography Debby Ryan LeBron James Abigail Breslin Demi Lovato Mia Hamm Adam Levine Derrick Rose Donovan McNabb Miguel Cabrera Albert Einstein Drake Bell & Josh Peck Miley Cyrus Albert Pujols Dr. Seuss Miranda Cosgrove Aly and AJ Dustin Pedroia Philo Farnsworth Andrew Luck Dwayne Johnson Raven-Symoné AnnaSophia Robb Dwyane Wade Rixton Ariana Grande Dylan & Cole Sprouse Robert Griffin III Ashley Tisdale Ed Sheeran Roy Halladay Brenda Song Emily Osment Shaquille O’Neal Brittany Murphy Ezekiel Elliott Story of Harley-Davidson Bruno Mars Hailee Steinfeld Sue Bird Buster Posey Hilary Duff Syd Hoff Carmelo Anthony Jamie Lynn Spears Tiki Barber Charles Schulz Jennette McCurdy Tim Howard Chris Johnson Jeremy Lin Tim Lincecum Clayton Kershaw Jesse McCartney Cliff Lee Jimmie Johnson Tony Hawk Johnny Gruelle Tyler Perry Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jonas Brothers Victor Cruz Darius Rucker Keke Palmer Victoria Justice David Archuleta

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Mattern, Joanne, 1963– Title: Ezekiel Elliott / by Joanne Mattern. Description: Hallandale, FL : Mitchell Lane Publisher, [2018] | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017026940 | ISBN 9781680201208 (library bound) Subjects: LCSH: Elliott, Ezekiel, 1995– —Juvenile literature. | Football players—United States— Biography—Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC GV939.E46 M37 2018 | DDC 796.332092 [B] —dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017026940

eBook ISBN: 978-1-68020-121-5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joanne Mattern is the author of many books for children on a variety of subjects, including history and biography. She has written many biographies for Mitchell Lane. Joanne loves to learn about people, places, and events and bring historical figures to life for today’s readers. She lives in New York State with her husband, children, and several pets.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The following story has been thoroughly researched and to the best of our knowledge represents a true story. While every possible effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher will not assume liability for damages caused by inaccuracies in the data, and makes no warranty on the accuracy of the information contained herein. This story has not been authorized or endorsed by Ezekiel Elliott.

Ezekiel Elliott book.indd 2 6/21/17 1:06 PM TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One A Chip on His Shoulder...... 5 Chapter Two A Multi-Sport Star...... 9 Chapter Three College Champion...... 13 Chapter Four Rookie Sensation...... 17 Chapter Five A Bright Future...... 23 Statistics...... 26 Chronology...... 27 Find Out More...... 28 Books...... 28 On the Internet...... 28 Works Consulted...... 28 Glossary...... 31 Index...... 32

Words in bold type can be found in the glossary.

Ezekiel Elliott book.indd 3 6/21/17 1:06 PM CHAPTER ONE

A Chip on His Shoulder

Ezekiel Elliott had a spectacular career as a high school football in Missouri. He was good enough to play in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Ezekiel was a speedster who won four events in the state high school track championships as a senior. But one thing frustrated him. In his junior and senior years, his football team played for the state championship. Both times they lost in the final moments. And his track team finished second despite Ezekiel’s outstanding effort. So as he told for Kids, “That was a chip I had on my shoulder. I had never won a team championship.” Ezekiel thought he could get rid of that chip by attending Ohio State University. 5

Ezekiel Elliott book.indd 5 6/21/17 1:06 PM CHAPTER ONE The Buckeyes were consistently one of the country’s best football programs. Ezekiel didn’t play much as a freshman. But as a sophomore, he was the team’s leading rusher as Ohio State won 12 games and lost only one in the regular season. The Buckeyes played the Oregon Ducks for the national championship on January 12, 2015. Ezekiel saved his best for last. He rushed for 246 yards and scored four . The Buckeyes defeated the Ducks 42–20. Ezekiel was named the game’s Offensive MVP (most valuable player). “The way Elliott racked up his yardage was the most impressive part,” wrote Nicole Auerbach of USA Today. “He bulldozed the Oregon defense; that’s the only way to put it. The Ducks knew he’d get the ball, and he’d run it up the middle—effectively— anyway. He averaged nearly 7 yards a carry.” “When you have a back who runs like that, it’s easy to block for him,” added Buckeye offensive tackle Taylor Decker.

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Ezekiel’s championship dreams finally came true in 2015 when he helped his team, the Ohio State Buckeyes, win the national championship. Here Ezekiel poses with head coach Urban Meyer and the championship trophy.

“He doesn’t back down from a defensive lineman. He’s 180 miles per hour all the time.” As Ezekiel joined his jubilant teammates after the game, he was just a little bit lighter. The chip on his shoulder was gone.

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