Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott: NFL needs to loosen up

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was not fined by the NFL for jumping into an oversized Salvation Army red kettle in the end zone after a touchdown run, says the NFL needs to loosen the celebration rules.

Elliott proposes the NFL should allow for touchdowns to be celebrated instead of taking some fun out of the game.

"I think actually it's kind of sad because something I looked forward to just getting to the NFL growing up was just being able to have more fun, the rules loosen up, being able to celebrate," Elliott said Thursday, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I think it's definitely sad the NFL is just being so strict on celebrations that they're not letting us, who are the best at what we do, (celebrate). I think we should have a little bit of leeway. We should be able to have a little more fun. I think it's entertainment to the fans. I think they're taking a little bit of the fun out of this pro game."

Elliott celebrated a 2-yard TD run during the second quarter of the Cowboys' 26-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in last Sunday night's game -- quickly hiding from everybody in the large kettle before popping out. He was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"Honestly, I didn't care how much trouble I got in," Elliott said. "You knew it was going to come. I think the most heat came from Rich (Bisaccia), our special teams coordinator."

The NFL confirmed Monday morning that Elliott would not be fined for the celebration, which drew nationwide attention on social media including from the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army saw an increase in donations, including $21,000 from Elliott himself.

"It was great," said Elliott, who wears No. 21. "It's great to see just the extra exposure. It's great to see people pitch in to help such a great cause.

"I knew it was going to bring some attention, just us being the Cowboys and that being something nobody's ever done. Just jumping in there donating myself was just kind of funny."

Meanwhile, the Cowboys clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed throughout the playoffs, locking up home-field advantage and a first-round bye, after the New York Giants' 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.

The Cowboys (12-2), behind the sensational rookie duo of quarterback Dak Prescott and Elliott, would set a franchise regular-season record if they close out with wins over the Detroit Lions on Monday night and on the road against the Eagles on Jan. 1.