Watch Paparazzi

American football player Ezekiel Elliott spotted wearing Rolex

Ezekiel Elliott — multiple-time NFL rushing champion and Dallas Cowboys cornerstone — was caught wearing a Rolex Day-Date 40 in 18K yellow gold during what appears to be a pregame or training appearance, identifiable by the Ohio State Buckeyes gear visible on his wrist wrap and apparel. The watch sits prominently beneath a football glove, the glint of the President bracelet unmistakable even against the red and white kit.

The reference in question is almost certainly the 228238, introduced by Rolex in 2015 when the Day-Date line moved from 36mm to the current 40mm case diameter. The 228238 features an 18K yellow gold case measuring 40mm, a fluted bezel — one of Rolex's most iconic bezel treatments — and the iconic President bracelet with its semi-circular three-piece links, patented and exclusive to the Day-Date. The white dial variant seen here presents applied gold hour markers and the characteristic day aperture at 12 o'clock paired with a date window at 3 o'clock.

Powering the 228238 is the Rolex Calibre 3255, one of the brand's most advanced in-house movements, offering a 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and Rolex's own Parachrom hairspring for enhanced shock and magnetic resistance. It carries the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) certification and Rolex's own Superlative Chronometer designation, holding accuracy to ±2 seconds per day.

The Day-Date's collector reputation rests on its unwavering precious-metal exclusivity. Since 1956, every iteration has been offered only in gold or platinum — a policy that distinguishes it sharply from the broader Rolex catalog. Among athletes and entertainers, it functions as the definitive status symbol within the Rolex hierarchy, outranking the Submariner and Daytona in terms of aspirational positioning for that demographic.

On the grey market, the 228238 in yellow gold with white dial commands a premium above its already substantial retail price of approximately $36,650 USD, with secondary market transactions typically ranging from $38,000 to $45,000 depending on condition and papers. Elliott's choice to wear this piece trackside rather than saving it for off-field occasions speaks to a generation of athletes for whom luxury watches are everyday objects, not trophy pieces.