Darren Rovell's Attempt To Call Out Salvation Army Didn't Go Very Well

Ezekiel Elliott and the Salvation Army were just trying to spread a little holiday cheer. But ESPN’s Darren Rovell had to go and be Ebenezer Scrooge.

Elliott provided the most wonderful celebration of the season Sunday night when the Dallas Cowboys running back hopped into the Salvation Army’s kettle after scoring a rushing touchdown in the first half of his team’s eventual 26-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The rookie was penalized for the celebration and could be fined, but more importantly, he drew attention to a famed charity in its time of need. And that’s a good thing.

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

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

But what normal people saw as an opportunity to spread the word on a great cause, Rovell saw as shameless self-promotion.

Not subtle. Salvation Army using Elliott now to ask for your money. https://t.co/KRj49Y08t6

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 19, 2016

Really, Darren? Fortunately, the Salvation Army didn’t take Rovell’s jab lying down.

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

To which Rovell bizarrely responded by complimenting the charity for owning him on Twitter.

outstanding response.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 19, 2016

We suppose Salvation Army should be thanking Rovell, because between Elliott’s celebration and Rovell’s poorly-worded tweet, they’ve gotten plenty of publicity over the last 12 hours. Then again, maybe that was Rovell’s plan all along…