{{Short description|Former American football player (born 1972)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{good article}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Keith Elias | image = Keith Elias crop.jpg | caption = Elias during a speaking engagement in Iraq, 2008. | number = 20, 23, 22 | position = Running back | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|2|3}} | birth_place = Lacey Township, New Jersey, U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 9 | weight_lb = 203 | high_school = Lacey Township | college = Princeton | undraftedyear = 1994 | pastteams = * New York Giants ({{NFL Year|1994|1996}}) * Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|1998|1999}}) * New York/New Jersey Hitmen (2001) | highlights = * Current and former NCAA FCS records * Career yards per game (140.3) * Career points per game (10.7) * Total rushing yards in 2 consecutive games (572) * Total rushing yards in 3 consecutive games (711) ;Current and former Ivy League records * Career points (320) * Career touchdowns (52) * Single-season all-purpose yards * Career 1500-yard seasons (2) | statlabel1 = Rushing yards | statvalue1 = 124 | statlabel2 = Rushing average | statvalue2 = 3.0 | statlabel3 = Receptions | statvalue3 = 22 | statlabel4 = Receiving yards | statvalue4 = 147 | statlabel5 = Return yards | statvalue5 = 399 | pfr = EliaKe00 }}
'''Keith Hector Elias''' (born February 3, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) and XFL. He was an All-American in high school and college where he established school, conference and national records while playing for the Princeton Tigers.
In high school, he earned All-American honors at Lacey Township High School. In college, he did so again for Princeton University, where he established 21 school records in football from 1991 through 1993. His college career coincided in the Ivy League with Jay Fiedler who led Dartmouth to three championships in that era, but Elias was able to lead Princeton to one co-championship. Elias and Fiedler split the League Player of the Year Awards during that era. He is the former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, called I-AA at the time) record holder for career rushing yards per game and points per game. He also established the FCS record for back-to-back games total rushing yards. He continues to hold numerous Ivy League and Princeton Tigers rushing and scoring records.
Elias was signed as a free agent out of college by the New York Giants where he played from 1994 through 1996. He served mostly on special teams. He last played in the NFL two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts in 1998 and 1999. Elias also played for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen of the now defunct XFL.
==Early life== Although NFL records state that Elias was born in Lacey Township,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/players/keithelias/profile?id=ELI344232|title=Players: Keith Elias|access-date=October 19, 2010|work=NFL.com}}</ref> Elias claims that he was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia.<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/23/nyregion/new-jersey-q-a-keith-elias-from-the-ivy-league-to-giants-stadium.html|title=New Jersey Q & A: Keith Elias; From the Ivy League to Giants Stadium|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 23, 1994|author=Kamin, Arthur Z.|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Then he says his family moved to Brooklyn before settling in New Jersey.<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS/> Elias considers himself from Lacey Township, New Jersey,<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS/><ref name=CFPRUiL>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/08/sports/college-football-princeton-remains-unbeaten-in-league.html|title=College Football; Princeton Remains Unbeaten in League|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 8, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Cavanaugh, Jack}}</ref> which is a Jersey Shore area community.<ref name=FESaNBoCfP/> Elias is the son of Nancy, a teacher and Pop Warner football coach, and Hector, a transportation consultant, and has three younger brothers.<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS/>
Elias played Pop Warner football for the Lacey team, who retired his number 20.<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS/> Elias rushed for 4,014 yards and scored 363 points for Lacey Township High School.<ref name=STT2GAN2KE9FR>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2006/11/14/16561/|title=The Top 20 Greatest Athletes: No. 20: Keith Elias '94: Football, RB|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 14, 2006|work=The Daily Princetonian|author=Leitch, Jonathan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319230956/http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2006/11/14/16561/|archive-date=March 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=KEYNCA/> As a student, he finished fifth in his graduating class of 278.<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS/> As a football player, he was named an All-American by the Downtown Athletic Club.<ref name=KEYNCA/> In addition to football, Elias earned two varsity letters in wrestling.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2001/02/12/2001-02-12_elias_gets_rush_out_of_new_l.html|title=Elias Gets Rush Out Of New League|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=February 12, 2001|work=New York Daily News|author=Garcia, Julian}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
==College career== [[File:Christian Cook, Jesse Hubard, Trevor Tierney and Keith Elias.jpg|thumb|left|(left to right): Christian Cook, Jesse Hubbard, Trevor Tierney and Elias in 2002]]
===Sophomore season (1991)=== Elias debuted for the Princeton on the opening day of the 1991 season, which was September 21 for Princeton, with 110 yards on 18 carries. His performance was part of a shutout of the heavily favored Cornell Big Red 18–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/22/sports/college-football-surprise-princeton-over-cornell.html|title=College Football; Surprise! Princeton Over Cornell|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=September 22, 1991|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> He earned Ivy League Rookie of the Week honors on September 23.<ref name=2ILFMG>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-honors.pdf|title=2010 Ivy League Football Media Guide|access-date=October 16, 2010|publisher=Council of Ivy Group Presidents|page=52|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317123832/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-honors.pdf|archive-date=March 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two weeks later on October 5, he recorded his first 200-yard game and his first three-touchdown effort in a 30–21 victory over the Colgate Red Raiders.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/06/sports/college-football-ivy-league-holy-cross-s-latest-victim.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; Holy Cross's Latest Victim|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=October 6, 1991|work=The New York Times}}</ref> This earned him his first Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week award.<ref name=2ILFMG/> On October 19, he helped Princeton reach a 5–0 record with well over 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. He had just 67 yards rushing but had three receptions for 62 yards on one 76-yard scoring drive alone.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/20/sports/college-football-cornell-kicks-harvard-out-in-the-second-half.html|title=College Football; Cornell Kicks Harvard Out in the Second Half|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=October 20, 1991|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On November 16, he had 142 yards rushing and two touchdowns in spite of two fumbles and a wrist injury against Yale to help Princeton reach a 5–1 Ivy League record as it headed towards a season-ending showdown with 5–0–1 Dartmouth.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/17/sports/college-football-elias-s-running-helps-princeton-down-yale.html|title=College Football; Elias's Running Helps Princeton Down Yale|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=November 17, 1991|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> This earned him his second Ivy League Rookie of the Week award.<ref name=2ILFMG/> The Tigers were defeated by a Jay Fiedler-led Dartmouth team for the Ivy League Championship the following week however.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/24/sports/college-football-dartmouth-pummels-princeton-for-title.html|title=College Football; Dartmouth Pummels Princeton For Title|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=November 24, 1991|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> He earned second-team All-Ivy League recognition.<ref name=2ILFMG/>
===Junior season (1992)=== Following their 1991 performance, the 1992 Tigers were Ivy League favorites.<ref name=ECR91692>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/16/sports/eastern-college-report.html|title=Eastern College Report|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=September 16, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> In a game that was believed to be a deciding factor in the conference championship outcome,<ref name=ECR91692/><ref name=CFVSTEASWS/> Elias had 114 yards on opening day against Cornell in a 22–20 victory on September 19.<ref name=CFVSTEASWS>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/21/sports/college-football-victory-seemed-too-easy-as-syracuse-was-stunned.html|title=College Football; Victory Seemed Too Easy As Syracuse Was Stunned|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=September 21, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Rhoden, William C.}}</ref> The following week on September 26, Elias established the Princeton single-game rushing record with a 299-yard four-touchdown effort in a 38–35 victory against the {{cfb link|year=1992|team=Lehigh Mountain Hawks|school=Lehigh University|title=Lehigh}}, surpassing Homer Smith's 40-year-old 273-yard record.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/27/sports/college-football-elias-earns-his-stripes-in-princeton-victory.html|title=College Football; Elias Earns His Stripes In Princeton Victory|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=September 27, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/28/sports/college-football-winning-isn-t-enough-to-be-no-1.html|title=College Football; Winning Isn't Enough to Be No. 1|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=September 28, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> Elias received his second Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week award after the match.<ref name=2ILFMG/> Then on October 3, he rushed for 273 yards in a 44–33 victory over Lafayette. In the game, he became the first Princeton runner to post back-to-back 200-yard games and the first Princeton runner to post three career 200-yard games.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/04/sports/college-football-ivy-league-for-uconn-no-place-like-home.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; For UConn, No Place Like Home|access-date=October 15, 2010|date=October 4, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> He repeated as Ivy League Offensive Player of the week.<ref name=2ILFMG/> After three games he led all NCAA divisions in rushing with a 228.7 yards per game average, while Marshall Faulk led Division I-A, now known as Football Bowl Subdivision, with a 209.3 average.<ref name=CFA2GMBaEa1>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/08/sports/college-football-another-200-yard-game-may-be-as-easy-as-1-2-3.html|title=College Football; Another 200-Yard Game May Be as Easy as 1-2-3|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 8, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> The total of 572 yards in back-to-back games established an NCAA Division I-AA record.<ref name=KEYNCA>{{cite web|url=http://archives.ivyleaguesports.com/documents/elias.asp|title=Keith Elias: YES Network Color Analyst|access-date=October 15, 2010|work=IvyLeagueSports.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713071059/http://archives.ivyleaguesports.com/documents/elias.asp|archive-date=July 13, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=CFA2GMBaEa1/> By rushing for 139 in the subsequent game against Brown on October 10, he tied the I-AA three-game rushing yard record of 711 yards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/11/sports/college-football-ivy-league-elias-falls-short-but-not-princeton.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; Elias Falls Short, but Not Princeton|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 11, 1992|work=The New York Times}}</ref> However, he injured his ankle and the subsequent week, he only rushed three times for two yards as Princeton fell to 4–1 by losing to Holy Cross on October 17.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/18/sports/college-football-ivy-league-holy-cross-gets-late-momentum-to-topple-princeton.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; Holy Cross Gets Late Momentum to Topple Princeton|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 18, 1992|work=The New York Times}}</ref> He was expected to be sidelined due to the injury when Princeton faced Harvard on October 24,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/21/sports/eastern-college-report.html|title=Eastern College Report|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 21, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> but he rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns, leading Princeton to a 21–6 victory and a 3–0 conference record.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/25/sports/college-football-ivy-league-dartmouth-streak-is-stopped-by-cornell.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; Dartmouth Streak Is Stopped by Cornell|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 28, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> On October 31, he rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries against Columbia. That week he surpassed Heisman Trophy-winner Dick Kazmaier for fourth place on the all-time Princeton career rushing yards list.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/01/sports/college-football-ivy-league-princeton-pounds-columbia.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; Princeton Pounds Columbia|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 1, 1992|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On November 7, he rushed for 131 yards against Penn as Princeton eliminated one of its one-loss conference foes from contention.<ref name=CFPRUiL/> He tallied 140 yards on 20 carries as Princeton clinched a share of the Ivy League title by moving to 6–0 with a victory over Yale. In the game, he moved inherited the school single-season rushing yards record by moving his total to 1368, ahead of Judd Garrett's 1347.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/15/sports/football-princeton-clinches-tie-for-ivy-league-title.html|title=Football; Princeton Clinches Tie For Ivy League Title|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 15, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> Despite a 207-yard two-touchdown rushing effort by Elias, Fiedler once again led Dartmouth to a season-ending victory over Princeton, this time for a share of the Ivy League championship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/22/sports/college-football-the-ivy-is-half-green-half-princeton.html|title=College Football; The Ivy Is Half Green, Half Princeton|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 22, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref>
Although Fiedler was named Ivy League Player of the Year, Elias was one of six other unanimous 1992 first-team All-Ivy League selections.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/25/sports/eastern-college-report.html|title=Eastern College Report|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 25, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> Elias, however, was a I-AA All-American selection by organizations such as Kodak (selected by the American Football Coaches Association) and the Associated Press.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78522466.html?dids=78522466:78522466&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+12%2C+1992&author=&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=PITTSBURGH&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104063831/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78522466.html?dids=78522466:78522466&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+12,+1992&author=&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=PITTSBURGH&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2012|title=Pittsburgh|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=December 12, 1992|page=B2|work=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61835032.html?dids=61835032:61835032&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+17%2C+1992&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Football&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104063852/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61835032.html?dids=61835032:61835032&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+17,+1992&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Football&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2012|title=Football|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=December 17, 1992|page=C5|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> His 157.5 yards per game earned him the 1992 NCAA I-AA statistical championship.<ref name=FCSR147>{{cite web|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/football_records/DI/2008/FCS%20Compiled.pdf|title=Football Championship Subdivision Records|access-date=October 16, 2010|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|page=147}}</ref> Elias nicknamed his offensive line "The Beast" and called fullback Peter Bailey and tight end Chris Beiswenger, "the Killer B's".<ref name=CFA2GMBaEa1/> In the offense, he usually was the tailback in the I formation.<ref name=FESaNBoCfP/>
===Senior season (1993)=== As a senior, Elias was elected co-captain and was considered the biggest media sensation on the campus in the past several years.<ref name=FESaNBoCfP>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/13/sports/football-elias-is-a-new-breed-of-celebrity-for-princeton.html|title=Football; Elias Is a New Breed of Celebrity for Princeton|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 13, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> Princeton enjoyed a third straight season-opening victory over Cornell Big Red on September 18. After falling behind 12–0 Elias contributed a 72-yard rushing touchdown and a 67-yard receiving touchdown as part of a 188-yard rushing day (259 all purpose yards).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/19/sports/college-football-brown-gets-a-few-breaks-and-brings-a-slide-to-an-end.html|title=College Football; Brown Gets a Few Breaks and Brings a Slide to an End|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=September 19, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Cavanaugh, Jack}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/24/sports/college-football-report-042493.html|title=College Football Report|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=September 24, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> Elias earned Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week.<ref name=2ILFMG/> The following week Elias added 132 rushing yards and three touchdowns as Princeton defeated Lafayette 21–7.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/26/sports/college-football-ivy-league-holy-cross-defense-proves-too-tough-for-dartmouth.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; Holy Cross Defense Proves Too Tough for Dartmouth|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=September 26, 1993|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On October 2, Elias scored touchdowns on Princeton's first four possessions, which helped Princeton build a 31–0 lead over Holy Cross. The final score was 38–0 as Elias tallied 185 yards on 29 carries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/03/sports/college-football-a-romp-for-princeton-as-elias-leads-way.html|title=College Football; A Romp for Princeton As Elias Leads Way|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 3, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Cavanaugh, Jack}}</ref> Elias again earned Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week.<ref name=2ILFMG/> On October 9, Elias broke Garrett's Princeton career rushing yard record of 3109 and his career touchdown record of 40 on a day when he rushed for 206 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 34–16 victory over Brown.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/10/sports/college-football-ivy-elias-performs-his-own-galloping-ghost-routine.html|title=College Football: Ivy; Elias Performs His Own Galloping Ghost Routine|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 10, 1993|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On October 16, despite missing the first two offensive series due to a hip pointer injury, Elias posted his tenth consecutive 100-yard game with a 160-yard one-touchdown effort in a 31–23 victory over {{cfb link|year=1993|team=Lehigh Mountain Hawks|school=Lehigh University|title=Lehigh}}, who established a Princeton opponent record by passing for 403 yards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/17/sports/college-football-ivy-league-princeton-defense-holds-its-own-and-lehigh-as-well.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; Princeton Defense Holds Its Own, and Lehigh as Well|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 17, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Cavanaugh, Jack}}</ref> At the midpoint of Princeton's 10-game schedule, Elias led the I-AA in rushing with a 172 yards per game average.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/20/sports/eastern-college-report.html|title=Eastern College Report|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 20, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> On October 23 against Harvard, Elias rushed for 201 yards on 33 carries and ran for two touchdowns in a 21–110 victory for the undefeated Tigers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/24/sports/college-football-late-princeton-rally-preserves-perfect-mark.html|title=College Football; Late Princeton Rally Preserves Perfect Mark|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 24, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> Despite his efforts he lost the I-AA rushing lead to Tony Vinson by a 177–176.7 margin.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/31/sports/college-football-tigers-slip-and-slide-one-step-closer.html|title=Eastern College Report|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 31, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> Elias responded with a 226-yard effort on October 30 against Columbia as Princeton moved to 7–0 and 4–0 in conference.<ref name=CFTSASOSC>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/27/sports/eastern-college-report.html|title=College Football; Tigers Slip And Slide One Step Closer|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=October 31, 1993|work=The New York Times|first=William N|last=Wallace}}</ref> The effort earned Elias his sixth and final career Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week award.<ref name=2ILFMG/> The game set up a November battle of unbeatens against Penn on November 6.<ref name=CFTSASOSC/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/04/sports/college-football-mcgeehan-ready-to-lead-quakers-against-the-tigers.html|title=College Football; McGeehan Ready to Lead Quakers Against the Tigers|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 4, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> In the contest, Penn held Elias to just 59 yards on 15 carries, as Penn took over the Ivy League lead with a 30–14 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/07/sports/college-football-penn-lot-mightier-than-princeton-11-stokes-stands.html|title=College Football; Penn Is a Lot Mightier Than the Princeton 11 As Stokes Stands Out|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 7, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> On November 13, as Princeton clung to hopes of at least a share of the Ivy League title, Elias rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries in a 28–7 victory over Yale. Elias broke Garrett's 4,510-yard school career all-purpose yards record with a 4,529 total and extended his own single-season touchdowns (19) and points (116) records.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/14/sports/college-football-nagged-by-what-ifs-tigers-stay-in-running.html|title=College Football; Nagged by 'What Ifs,' Tigers Stay in Running|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 14, 1993|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On November 20, Elias rushed for 188 yards to help Princeton build a 22–8 fourth quarter lead that did not stand up to Fiedler who led Dartmouth to its third consecutive season-ending victory over Princeton.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/21/sports/college-football-ivy-league-quakers-wake-up-and-win-the-title.html|title=College Football: Ivy League; Quakers Wake Up And Win The Title|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 21, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Cavanaugh, Jack}}</ref> That November, Vinson set the current I-AA record for yards gained in two consecutive games (691), a record Elias had set the prior season.<ref name=FCSR135>{{cite web|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/football_records/DI/2008/FCS%20Compiled.pdf|title=Football Championship Subdivision Records|access-date=October 16, 2010|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|page=135}}</ref> Vinson set the single-game and single-season rushing yards record and won the season statistical championship over Elias.<ref name=FCSR147/><ref name=FCSR146>{{cite web|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/football_records/DI/2008/FCS%20Compiled.pdf|title=Football Championship Subdivision Records|access-date=October 16, 2010|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|page=146}}</ref> Elias finished second in single-season yards per game to Vinson.<ref name=PFEAtBaBG>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/27/sports/pro-football-elias-aims-to-be-a-business-giant.html|title=Pro Football; Elias Aims to Be a Business Giant|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=July 27, 1994|work=The New York Times|author=Litsky, Frank}}</ref>
Elias beat out Fiedler and Jim McGeehan (quarterback of the undefeated Penn team) for the Asa S. Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League Player of the Year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/24/sports/eastern-college-report.html|title=Eastern College Report|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=November 24, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref> He also repeated as an All-American selection.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77659397.html?dids=77659397:77659397&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+17%2C+1993&author=Jerry+Greene+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=KNIGHTS+RECEIVER+NAMED+ALL-AMERICAN+JUNIOR+DAVID+RHODES+WAS+ONE+OF+SIX+UNDERCLASSMEN+ON+THE+DIVISION+I-AA+FIRST+TEAM.&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104071542/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77659397.html?dids=77659397:77659397&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+17,+1993&author=Jerry+Greene+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=KNIGHTS+RECEIVER+NAMED+ALL-AMERICAN+JUNIOR+DAVID+RHODES+WAS+ONE+OF+SIX+UNDERCLASSMEN+ON+THE+DIVISION+I-AA+FIRST+TEAM.&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2012|title=Knights Receiver Named All-American Junior David Rhodes Was One Of Six Underclassmen On The Division I-AA First Team|access-date=October 17, 2010|date=December 17, 1993|work=Orlando Sentinel|author=Greene, Jerry}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AD&p_theme=ad&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4776F1A7E3EAE&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=McNeese's Irving named to All-American team|access-date=October 17, 2010|date=December 7, 1993|work=The Advocate}}</ref> He was recognized as one of fifteen scholar athletes by the National Football Foundation, earning an $18,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|18000|1993|r=0}}}} today) postgraduate scholarship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/07/sports/pro-football-little-mo-can-remember-when-giants-were-giants.html|title=Pro Football; Little Mo Can Remember When Giants Were Giants|access-date=October 16, 2010|date=December 7, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-honors.pdf|title=2010 Ivy League Football Media Guide|access-date=October 16, 2010|publisher=Council of Ivy Group Presidents|page=47|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317123832/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-honors.pdf|archive-date=March 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Elias retired as the NCAA FCS career recordholder in rushing yards per game (140.3) and points per game (10.7), having surpassed Mike Clark of Akron (133, 1984–86) and Joel Sigel of Portland State (9.3, 1978–80).<ref name="FCSR146"/><ref name=FCSR155>{{cite web|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/football_records/DI/2008/FCS%20Compiled.pdf|title=Football Championship Subdivision Records|access-date=October 16, 2010|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|page=155}}</ref> His yardage record was surpassed in 1995 by Arnold Mickens of Butler who is the current recordholder with 190.7 yards per game.<ref name=FCSR146/> His points record was eclipsed in 1998 by Aaron Stecker, Western Illinois with an 11.7 average.<ref name=FCSR155/>
Upon the completion of his career, his name was listed atop many All-time lists in the Ivy League record book. He also retired second to Ed Marinaro in numerous categories (Career rushing yards, Ivy career rushing yards, single-season rushing yards, Single-Ivy season rushing yards, career 200-yard games, single-season 200-yard games, career rushing touchdowns, Ivy career rushing touchdowns, single-season rushing touchdowns, Ivy career points, single-season points, single Ivy season points, Ivy career touchdowns, single-season touchdowns, single-Ivy season touchdowns, career all-purpose yards).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|title=2010 Ivy League Football Media Guide|access-date=October 17, 2010|publisher=IvyLeagueSports.com|page=69–73|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317123841/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|archive-date=March 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|title=2010 Ivy League Football Media Guide|access-date=October 17, 2010|publisher=IvyLeagueSports.com|page=85–86|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317123841/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|archive-date=March 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=2ILFMG90>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|title=2010 Ivy League Football Media Guide|access-date=October 17, 2010|publisher=IvyLeagueSports.com|page=90|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317123841/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|archive-date=March 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, many of his and Marinaro's records have been surpassed. Elias surpassed Marinaro for career points and tied with him for touchdowns, but both records were bettered by Nick Hartigan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|title=2010 Ivy League Football Media Guide|access-date=October 17, 2010|publisher=IvyLeagueSports.com|page=84|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317123841/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|archive-date=March 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|title=2010 Ivy League Football Media Guide|access-date=October 17, 2010|publisher=IvyLeagueSports.com|page=86|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317123841/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|archive-date=March 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also passed Marinaro in single-season all-purpose yards in 1993 by a 1939–1932 margin but was surpassed by Johnathan Reese in 2000.<ref name=2ILFMG90/> He continues to be the only Ivy Leaguer to have two 1500-yard seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|title=2010 Ivy League Football Media Guide|access-date=October 17, 2010|publisher=IvyLeagueSports.com|page=70|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317123841/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/Media_Guide/10fb-records.pdf|archive-date=March 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> He retired with 4 I-AA records and 21 school records including rushing (4,208 yards), rushing touchdowns (49), yards rushing per game (140.3), carries (736), carries per game (24.5), yards per carry (5.72), all-purpose yards (4,739), overall touchdowns (52) and points (320). He also retired with 21 100-yard rushing games and seven 200-yards games.<ref name=SPFGSPB>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/28/sports/sports-people-football-giants-sign-princeton-back.html|title=Sports People: Football; Giants Sign Princeton Back|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=April 28, 1994|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
==Professional career== After going undrafted in the 1994 NFL draft, Elias signed with the Giants.<ref name=SPFGSPB/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/30/sports/transactions-943282.html|title=Transactions|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=April 30, 1994|work=The New York Times}}</ref> The 1994 NFL season was the first year that rosters expanded to 53,<ref name=PFEAtBaBG/> and Elias made the roster out of training camp.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/29/sports/pro-football-defensive-shakeup-looms-for-giants.html|title=Pro Football; Defensive Shakeup Looms For Giants|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 29, 1994|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> He made the roster ahead of 1994 third round draft choice running back Gary Downs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/22/sports/sports-people-pro-football-rutgers-tackle-signs.html|title=Sports People: Pro Football;Rutgers Tackle Signs|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=March 22, 1996|work=The New York Times}}</ref> That season, he was originally assigned the number 25,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/21/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-giants-old-numbers-new-games.html|title=Sports of The Times; The Giants: Old Numbers, New Games|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=July 21, 1994|work=The New York Times|author=Anderson, Dave}}</ref> but he eventually took the number 20.<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS/> On September 11, 1994, against the Arizona Cardinals,<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS/> Elias sprained his ankle. The injury hampered him for several weeks.<ref name=NJQAKEFtILtGS/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/27/sports/pro-football-hampton-may-play-sunday.html|title=Pro Football; Hampton May Play Sunday|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=September 27, 1994|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/08/sports/giants-notebook-hampton-set-to-play-against-the-vikings.html|title=Giants Notebook; Hampton Set to Play Against the Vikings|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 8, 1994|work=The New York Times|author=Diamos, Jason}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/23/sports/pro-football-together-giants-plan-to-stop-a-losing-streak.html|title=Pro Football; Together, Giants Plan to Stop a Losing Streak|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 23, 1994|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> After two games of special team duties, he spent the remainder of the season on the inactive list.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/24/sports/pro-football-giants-notebook-sherrard-expects-to-play.html|title=Pro Football: Giants Notebook; Sherrard Expects To Play|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 24, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> Following the season, he was left unprotected in the 1995 NFL expansion draft to stock the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/19/sports/pro-football-bailey-is-on-the-list-but-will-he-still-play.html|title=Pro Football; Bailey Is on the List, But Will He Still Play?|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=January 19, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/15/sports/pro-football-meggett-s-maneuvers-include-trip-to-foxboro.html|title=Pro Football; Meggett's Maneuvers Include Trip To Foxboro|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=February 15, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> When the Giants lost the second of their unprotected players in the draft they made Elias unavailable.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/16/sports/pro-football-jaguars-select-a-giant-eager-for-change.html|title=Pro Football; Jaguars Select a Giant Eager for Change|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=February 16, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref>
Entering the 1995 NFL season, Elias was not expected to make the 1995 team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/28/sports/pro-football-giants-rich-in-talent-for-the-running-game.html|title=Pro Football; Giants Rich in Talent For the Running Game|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=July 28, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> However, in the first preseason game, he scored the Giants' only touchdown,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/07/sports/pro-football-giants-discover-new-player-in-brown.html|title=Pro Football; Giants Discover New Player In Brown|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 7, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> and the next week he ran for 77 yards on just 12 carries;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/12/sports/pro-football-giants-offensive-line-pays-dearly-for-preseason-victory.html|title=Pro Football; Giants' Offensive Line Pays Dearly for Preseason Victory|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 12, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> After two preseason games, he led the Giants roster of running backs that included Rodney Hampton, Herschel Walker, Kenyon Rasheed, Downs, Charles Way, and Tyrone Wheatley in rushing with 123 yards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/13/sports/giants-notebook-offensive-line-mix-match-and-hope.html|title=Giants Notebook; Offensive Line: Mix, Match and Hope|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 13, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> The following week, he blocked a punt that the Giants recovered for a touchdown and scored the winning two-point conversion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/20/sports/pro-football-giants-land-final-blow-with-last-minute-drive.html|title=Pro Football; Giants Land Final Blow With Last-Minute Drive|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 20, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/20/sports/pro-football-finally-jets-do-more-than-just-talk-about-offense.html|title=Pro Football; Finally, Jets Do More than Just Talk About Offense|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 20, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Litsky, Frank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/21/sports/pro-football-giants-accuse-jets-of-dirty-tactics-in-a-fight-marred-game.html|title=Pro Football; Giants Accuse Jets of Dirty Tactics in a Fight-Marred Game|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 21, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> After three preseason games, Elias had moved from likely to be released to almost a lock to make the team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/23/sports/pro-football-offensive-line-takes-hits-from-injuries.html|title=Pro Football; Offensive Line Takes Hits From Injuries|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 23, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> Elias finished the preseason as the team's leading rusher with 214 yards on 37 carries and made the team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/28/sports/football-two-likely-goners-maumalanga-rasheed.html|title=Football; Two Likely Goners: Maumalanga, Rasheed|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 28, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/29/sports/giants-notebook-giant-cornerbacks-won-t-back-down.html|title=Giants Notebook; Giant Cornerbacks Won't Back Down|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 29, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> Elias again contributed on special teams,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/16/sports/pro-football-position-available-must-play-quarterback.html|title=Pro Football;Position Available: Must Play Quarterback|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 16, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> but in the first ten games, he only had ten yards on four carries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/14/sports/football-reeves-feels-the-pain-of-giants-3-7-season.html|title=Football;Reeves Feels the Pain Of Giants' 3-7 Season|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=November 14, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> Late in the season, Elias moved into the role of the first man off the bench to spell Hampton who was the starter in place of Wheatley who had held the role early in the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/08/sports/pro-football-changes-could-affect-giants-coaches-too.html|title=Pro Football;Changes Could Affect Giants' Coaches, Too|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=December 8, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/09/sports/giants-notebook-hamilton-ready-to-join-rules-fight.html|title=Giants Notebook;Hamilton Ready to Join Rules Fight|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=December 9, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> He finished the season with 10 rushes for 44 yards and 9 receptions for 69 yards.<ref name=PFAERFWISS/> Following the season, the Giants opted to release Walker and expected to be unable to resign Hampton.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/19/sports/pro-football-giants-release-walker-shedding-third-veteran.html|title=Pro Football;Giants Release Walker, Shedding Third Veteran|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=June 19, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Smith, Timothy W.}}</ref> That season, Elias' popularity made him one of the most sought after public speakers on the team and earned him nearly $50,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|50000|1995|r=0}}}}).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/26/sports/pro-football-brown-is-a-brand-new-man-after-off-season-of-retooling.html|title=Pro Football;Brown Is a Brand-New Man After Off Season of Retooling|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=July 26, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref>
Elias entered the 1996 NFL season as the likely third down back for the 1996 team. In 1995 no one had emerged to replace Dave Meggett in that role.<ref name=PFAERFWISS>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/21/sports/pro-football-as-elias-rushes-forward-wheatley-is-standing-still.html|title=Pro Football;As Elias Rushes Forward, Wheatley Is Standing Still|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=July 21, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> Elias again had strong preseason performances. In one early August exhibition game he scored two touchdowns.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/03/sports/giants-overcome-mistakes.html|title=Giants Overcome Mistakes|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 3, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> By August 22, he led the Giants in preseason carries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/22/sports/giants-waiting-for-their-running-game.html|title=Giants Waiting for Their Running Game|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=August 22, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Litsky, Frank}}</ref> He entered the season as the first option third down back, ahead of Wheatley.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/07/sports/toomer-shakes-jitters-and-catches-on-fast.html|title=Toomer Shakes Jitters And Catches On Fast|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=September 7, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Litsky, Frank}}</ref> In the September 30 contest against the Minnesota Vikings, John Randle picked fights with some of the Giants, including Elias.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/01/sports/the-giants-finally-silenced-the-vikings.html|title=The Giants Finally Silenced the Vikings|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 1, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> Elias suffered turf toe in that game and it affected him in the next as well.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/10/sports/sherrard-rips-reeves-for-big-ten-offense.html|title=Sherrard Rips Reeves For 'Big Ten' Offense|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 10, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> He also had an October ankle injury, which consisted of both a sprain and a bone chip.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/14/sports/defense-carries-the-giants-so-far-then-begins-snapping.html|title=Defense Carries the Giants So Far, Then Begins Snapping|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 14, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/17/sports/kanell-moves-up-to-no-2-spot.html|title=Kanell Moves Up to No. 2 Spot|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 17, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> That injury kept him out of the lineup,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/18/sports/despite-rumblings-brown-isn-t-looking-over-shoulder.html|title=Despite Rumblings, Brown Isn't Looking Over Shoulder|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 18, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/19/sports/no-household-names-but-defense-does-job.html|title=No Household Names, But Defense Does Job|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 19, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> making Wheatley the third down back by default.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/20/sports/giants-go-to-washington-in-a-fighting-mood.html|title=Giants Go to Washington in a Fighting Mood|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=October 20, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> Elias did not get his third down role back until mid-November.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/10/sports/with-wheatley-injured-the-giants-are-looking-toward-elias.html|title=With Wheatley Injured, the Giants Are Looking Toward Elias|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=November 10, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> When he finally returned to this role, he was able to perform as needed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/11/sports/mistakes-bury-the-giants-hopes.html|title=Mistakes Bury the Giants' Hopes|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=November 11, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> However, he was soon suffering from a torn posterior cruciate ligament and a damaged meniscus in need of surgery and was lost for the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/18/sports/playoff-hopes-have-vanished-for-the-giants.html|title=Playoff Hopes Have Vanished For the Giants|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=November 18, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/21/sports/sleight-of-hand-signals.html|title=Sleight of Hand Signals|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=November 21, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> He had immediate November surgery, which revealed that the ligament was 90% torn, but would heal on its own.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/23/sports/cowboys-secondary-all-hands-giants-say.html|title=Cowboys' Secondary All Hands, Giants Say|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=November 23, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> It kept him out of the lineup for the rest of the season, however.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/12/sports/sure-hands-for-giants-calloway-s-on-a-roll.html|title=Sure Hands For Giants: Calloway's On a Roll|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=December 12, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/18/sports/redskins-may-ask-nolan-for-help.html|title=Redskins May Ask Nolan For Help|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=December 18, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> He finished the season on injured reserve.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/20/sports/transactions-830607.html|title=Transactions|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=December 20, 1996|work=The New York Times}}</ref> During the offseason, he got involved as a narrator for the Westchester Philharmonic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/09/nyregion/a-giants-back-to-offer-play-by-play-at-concert.html|title=A Giants Back to Offer Play-by-Play at Concert|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=February 9, 1997|work=The New York Times|author=Sherman, Robert}}</ref> As the Giants prepared for the 1997 NFL draft they attempted to resign Elias.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/21/sports/giants-pick-up-4-free-agents.html|title=Giants Pick Up 4 Free Agents|access-date=October 19, 2010|date=March 21, 1997|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
In 1997, he earned the Unsung hero award from the New York Giants.<ref name=KEYNCA/> Elias did not play for the Giants during the 1997 NFL season,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/27/sports/giants-tiki-barber-now-must-make-it-on-his-own.html|title=Giants' Tiki Barber Now Must Make It on His Own|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=April 27, 1997|work=The New York Times|author=Freeman, Mike}}</ref> and he did not sign with the Indianapolis Colts until the 1998 NFL season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/11/sports/plus-pro-football-ex-princeton-back-signs-with-the-colts.html|title=Plus: Pro Football; Ex-Princeton Back Signs With the Colts|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=February 11, 1998|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/20/sports/transactions-669881.html|title=Transactions|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=February 20, 1998|work=The New York Times}}</ref> He had an offer from the 1997 Carolina Panthers, but he tested the market too long and lost it. He spent 1997 coaching his high school alma mater's football team where his brother, Greg, was playing. He was the running backs and special teams coach.<ref name=GRCEINCAAM>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/1997/10/29/1997-10-29_giant_role_change__elias_is_.html |title=Giant Role Change Elias Is Now Coaching At Alma Mater |access-date=October 20, 2010 |date=October 29, 1997 |author=Garcia, Julian |work=New York Daily News }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> After three seasons with the Giants he served as special teams captain with the Indianapolis Colts.<ref name=STT2GAN2KE9FR/> He also served as the backup to Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James.<ref name=PFICKEOTP>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/330882-podcast-former-indy-colt-keith-elias-on-the-playoffs|title=Podcast: Former Indy Colt Keith Elias On The Playoffs|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=January 22, 2010|work=Bleacher Report|author=Rees, Robert}}</ref> The Colts resigned him to a second one-year contract for the 1999 NFL season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/13/sports/transactions-331597.html|title=Transactions|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=February 13, 1999|work=The New York Times}}</ref> He scored the game-winning touchdown in the final preseason game on September 2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/03/sports/nfl-exhibition-roundup-mcnabb-s-heroics-give-philadelphia-a-victory.html|title=N.F.L. : Exhibition Roundup; McNabb's Heroics Give Philadelphia a Victory|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=September 3, 1999|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Following the season he was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest at a barroom brawl in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. His 20-year-old brothers Brian and Gregory as well as New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet were also arrested. Elias jumped on a police officer who was attempting to handcuff one of his brothers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/08/sports/pro-football-chrebet-and-ex-giant-arrested-in-bar-brawl.html|title=Pro Football; Chrebet and Ex-Giant Arrested in Bar Brawl|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=February 8, 2000|work=The New York Times|author=Strunsky, Steve}}</ref> According to ''The New York Times'' Brian Elias was engaged to Jennifer Chrebet, Wayne's sister, but the ''New York Daily News'' reported that they were married.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2000/02/08/2000-02-08_chrebet_charged_in_bar_brawl.html |title=Chrebet Charged In Bar Brawl |access-date=October 20, 2010 |date=February 8, 2000 |work=New York Daily News |author=Lucas, Kenny }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/10/sports/pro-football-chrebet-denies-fighting-at-bar.html|title=Pro Football; Chrebet Denies Fighting At Bar|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=February 10, 2000|work=The New York Times|author=Battista, Judy}}</ref> When the case was heard in court, the three Elias brothers and Chrebet all pleaded guilty to a public nuisance violation and paid fines of $230 apiece. Chrebet pleaded guilty in absentia via a legal representative.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/12/sports/football-chrebet-and-elias-fined-after-guilty-pleas.html|title=Pro Football; Chrebet and Elias Fined After Guilty Pleas|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=May 12, 2000|work=The New York Times|author=Pennington, Bill}}</ref> After playing two years for the Colts on special teams, while rushing for 52 yards on 21 carries, Elias' veteran salary would not fit under the salary cap for the 2000 team. Thus, Elias did not play in the NFL during the 2000 NFL season.<ref name=PFEFGCHDWtH/>
In November 2000, Elias attended the minicamp of the New York/New Jersey Hitmen of the XFL who were scheduled to begin play the following February. He hoped to survive roster cuts as the team went from 70 men to a 38-man roster.<ref name=PFEFGCHDWtH/> Elias made the team as a backup running back.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/09/sports/sports-of-the-times-it-s-more-program-than-pro.html|title=Sports of The Times; It's More Program Than Pro|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=February 9, 2001|work=The New York Times|author=Anderson, Dave}}</ref> In the early season games, he saw plenty of action as a ball carrier,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2001/02/12/2001-02-12_cold_hitmen_fail_to_x-ecute_.html |title=Cold Hitmen Fail To X-Ecute Make Least of Chances, Lose Again |access-date=October 20, 2010 |date=February 12, 2001 |work=New York Daily News |author=Rubin, Adam }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> even though he was struggling with a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2001/02/09/2001-02-09_hitmen_want_puleri_s_aim_to_.html |title=Hitmen Want Puleriis Aim To Improve |access-date=October 20, 2010 |date=February 9, 2001 |work=Daily News (New York) |author=Rubin, Adam }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> However, in March, he was placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/16/sports/transactions-426296.html|title=Transactions|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=March 16, 2001|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Elias hasn't participated in a season since and during the season Elias prepared for life after football by writing screenplays.<ref name=PFEFGCHDWtH>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/15/sports/pro-football-elias-former-giant-chases-his-dream-with-the-hitmen.html|title=Pro Football; Elias, Former Giant, Chases His Dream With the Hitmen|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=November 15, 2000|work=The New York Times|author=Caldwell, Dave}}</ref>
==Personal life== Elias is a born again Christian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princeton.edu/~paw/archive_new/PAW05-06/02-1005/whathappenedto.html|title=Whatever happened to...Keith Elias '94?|access-date=October 20, 2010|date=October 5, 2005|work=Princeton Alumni Weekly}}</ref>
==Notes== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Keith Elias}} *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202529/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/documents/elias.asp Ivy League Sports - Keith Elias]}} *[https://www.nytimes.com/keyword/keith-elias Elias archive] at ''The New York Times'' *[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/EliaKe00.htm Keith Elias] at ''Pro-Football-Reference.com'' *[http://www.nfl.com/players/profile?id=ELI344232 Elias] at NFL.com *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110611152412/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=ELIASKEI01 Elias at Databasefootball.com]}} *[http://www.keithelias.com/Site/A_Man.html Personal speaking website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208065511/http://keithelias.com/Site/A_Man.html |date=February 8, 2011 }} *[http://www.rockoutreach.com/ Keith Elias at ''Building on the Rock Community Church'']
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elias, Keith}} Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Lacey Township High School alumni Category:Sportspeople from Lacey Township, New Jersey Category:Players of American football from Ocean County, New Jersey Category:American football running backs Category:Princeton Tigers football players Category:New York Giants players Category:Indianapolis Colts players Category:New York/New Jersey Hitmen players