WATCH: Ezekiel Elliott launches home run in home run derby competition

The Dallas Cowboys teamed up with Reliant Energy this week for the annual home run derby, benefitting The Salvation Army. Cowboys stars like Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons showed off their batting stances and swung for the fences, ultimately raising $81,000 for charity.

Cowboys reporter Jane Slater posted footage of Elliott hitting a home run during the derby. She notes that he hit three in total. The former Ohio State Buckeye did play baseball as a youngster, on top of football, basketball and track and field.

3 homers for Zeke pic.twitter.com/DFNFlB27Xc

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) June 8, 2022

At the end of the day, Dallas linebacker Leighton Vander Esch earned the 2022 Reliant Home Run Derby champion award.

“A huge thanks to Reliant and Cowboys Nation for showing up in a big way this year, making the experience both rewarding and fun for our players to give back while interacting with fans,” executive vice president Charlotte Jones said. “Our players love a little friendly competition, especially for a good cause, and look forward to this event every year.”

Elliott comes up on contract year in Dallas

Former Ohio State standout Zeke Elliott dealt with injuries and split time with Tony Pollard last season. Those factors resulted in a 1,002-yard season in 2021. It wasn’t his worst but it also wasn’t near his best. His health remains a question as he enters what could be the final year of his contract, however, he’s focusing on the elements he can control.

“I mean, I control what I can control,” Elliott said, via The Dallas Morning News’ David Moore. “I focus on what’s in the near future. I’m not really worried about what’s going to be going on after next season unless we’re going on tour for winning the Super Bowl.”

As far as whether this year is a “prove-it” year for Elliott, the three-time Pro Bowler said that’s his mentality every season.

“I think every year we’ve got something to prove,” he said.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.