Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott was unaware that he had a suspended driver's license last weekend when he was involved in a car accident near the team's practice facility in Columbus, Ohio.
The junior was cited for three misdemanors after he lost control of his father's car on wet pavement and collided with another vehicle on Sunday before the seventh-ranked Buckeyes left for the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona. Elliott and the driver of the other car were not injured.
Elliott's Illinois had license expired and he said he was using his passport for photo ID after losing his wallet. He is not subject to any disciplinary action from the university and will play in Friday's Fiesta Bowl game against No. 6 Notre Dame at University of Phoenix Stadium.
"First and foremost, I wasn't aware that my license was suspended, and I mean, I'm doing everything I can now, my dad is doing everything he can now to get that handled and get my license back in good standing," Elliott said Tuesday in his first public comments since the accident. "Just honestly glad that nobody was majorly injured, everybody was all right, and I feel like that's the most important part. It was a scary situation, really just trying to put it behind me and focus on this game."
ESPN reported that Elliott received a speeding ticket on May 13 and didn't show up in court or pay the fine, resulting in him being taken to collections and his registration blocked on Dec. 3.
Elliott was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 after rushing for 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns on 262 carries.
