The Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night, and a touchdown celebration during the nationally televised game sparked controversy on social media.
During the second quarter, when Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott scored a go-ahead touchdown, he ran over to the giant Salvation Army kettle and jumped inside of it.
Watch the play and subsequent celebration below, captioned by the Salvation Army's official Twitter account:
Nothing like a Zeke being dropped into one of our kettles! @EzekielElliott @dallascowboys https://t.co/8DgRVvk0Xn https://t.co/oXMfsj8RnI
— Salvation Army USA (@SalvationArmyUS) December 19, 2016
The Salvation Army is an international Christian charitable organization that works to feed and clothe those in need around the world, as well as help those working to rehabilitate themselves as they recover from addiction. Using the celebration, which had resulted a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, to gain exposure to their cause, the Salvation Army also tweeted out:
Zeke made an important contribution for the @dallascowboys tonight. Can you contribute to the millions in need? https://t.co/zwJrWxPYLj pic.twitter.com/12zBHxczIz
— Salvation Army USA (@SalvationArmyUS) December 19, 2016
ESPN sports reporter Darren Rovell, who has been mocked in the past for being too sensitive, took issue with the Salvation Army's tweet, criticizing them for using the penalty to draw attention to their organization:
Not subtle. Salvation Army using Elliott now to ask for your money. https://t.co/KRj49Y08t6
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 19, 2016
But the Salvation Army decided it wouldn't take the criticism lightly, shooting back at Rovell:
@darrenrovell Our goal is to serve 58 million meals in the U.S. this year. No time to be subtle.
— Salvation Army USA (@SalvationArmyUS) December 19, 2016
The NFL was expected to financially penalize Elliott for using a prop — the kettle — in his touchdown celebration, and Elliott promised that he would donate the same amount to the Salvation Army. But NFL officials decided Monday they would not fine Elliott for the penalty, though the story didn't end there.
Elliott committed to making the donation anyway:
Even though I will not be fined I still will be making a donation to the @SalvationArmyUS pic.twitter.com/AMJ1gSuse3
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) December 19, 2016
