10 Terrible Crimes Involving NFL Players
10 Terrible and Tragic Crimes Involving NFL Players
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were examining infamous times when American NFL stars shocked us all with their involvement in terrible crimes. Well be exploring incidents committed by both players while in the NFL and those who had already retired.
Michael Vick
By 2007, the Atlanta Falcons star had participated in three Pro Bowls and was the first quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. However, away from the gridiron, Vick was leading a dark life, causing his arrest the same year. The authorities had discovered that a dog fighting ring was based at his property in Surry County, Virginia, known as Bad Newz Kennels. After pleading guilty, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail. As such, he was suspended indefinitely from the NFL and lost several endorsement deals. Upon Vicks release, the NFL rescinded the suspension and he signed for the Philadelphia Eagles. He retired in 2017 and then began a coaching career.
Zac Stacy
As a running back for the then-named St. Louis Rams and New York Jets, Stacy had 3 seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2017. In 2021, an online video exposed a terrible incident. Arriving at ex-partner Kristin Evanss house in Florida, Stacy was in a jealous rage. He struck her several times before tossing her into the TV. All of this was in front of their infant son. While Stacy left before the police arrived, the incident was captured on security cameras, which Evans released on social media. When he was arrested, Stacy claimed Evans had staged the attack. In 2023, after pleading guilty, the former NFL player was sentenced to 6 months in jail and a year of probation.
Darryl Henley
As a Consensus All-American, Henley joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1989 as a cornerback. However, in 1993, he was accused of operating an elaborate trafficking network by former Rams cheerleader Tracy Donaho, who was herself arrested for substance couriering. In 1995, Henley was found guilty. However, as he was awaiting sentencing, Henley had smuggled in a cell phone to continue his operation. He then ordered the killing of Donaho and the judge, Gary L. Taylor. Thankfully, neither were harmed by his actions. However, that didnt mean Henley wouldnt be punished. As a result of his crimes and agreeing to a plea bargain, in 1997, he was sentenced to a combined 41 years in jail.
Darren Sharper
With a 14-year career that included playing safety for Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, as well as winning a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints, Sharper had a legacy that any football fan would envy. Shortly after retiring after the 2010 season, allegations came out that he and his friends had assaulted women. As more incidents came to light, with charges across Nevada, California, Louisiana, and Arizona, Sharper was arrested in 2014. In 2016, after pleading guilty to the various cases, Sharper was sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison. Despite his conviction, the once-respected icon is still eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which has drawn heavy criticism.
Tommy Kane
In 1988, Kane joined the Seattle Seahawks as a wide receiver. Things got off to a rough start when he was sentenced to community service for assault in 1988. Then before the 1993 season, injuries led to his departure. After a brief stint with the Toronto Argonauts, Kane retired from the sport. In 2003, he was met at his mothers house in LaSalle, Quebec, Canada, by his estranged wife, Tammara Shaikh, and Hilda St-Louis, a member of their church, to take Kane to rehab. Instead, after Shaikh dismissed reconciliation, Kane brutally attacked her, resulting in Kane fatally stabbing Shaikh. Due to claiming he didnt remember the attack and was suffering from depression, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 years.
Rae Carruth
Signed as a first-round draft pick in 1997 for the Carolina Panthers, Carruth had a promising career as a wide receiver. But his personal life would cause his downfall. In 1999, Carruths 8-month pregnant partner, Cherica Adams, was shot in Charlotte, North Carolina. While injured, Adams called 911 and told them Carruths car had stopped in front of hers, allowing another vehicle to pull up and fire at her. Adams sadly didnt survive. While the baby made it and was born, he suffered brain damage due to a lack of oxygen. Carruth had organized the hit due to Adams refusing an abortion. In 2001, after being acquitted of murder, Carruth was sentenced for conspiracy and received 19 to 24 years. He was released in 2018.
Lawrence Phillips
On top of 3 years in the NFL with multiple teams, Phillips also played in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League as a running back in a 7-year professional career. However, during that time, his legacy was tainted with legal issues. Yet in 2005, his reputation further plummeted to new depths when various assault allegations caught up with him, leading to his arrest. In 2009, Phillips was given a combined sentence of 31 years. In 2015, his cellmate, Damion Soward, the cousin of former NFL player R. Jay Soward, was found dead. It was soon discovered Soward was murdered, leading to Phillips being arrested. In 2016, while awaiting trial, Phillips took his own life.
Robert Rozier
In 1979, Rozier joined the then-named St. Louis Cardinals. However, rumors about substance issues and crime hindered his development, leading to his joining the Canadian Football League. After a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders, Roziers professional career was over. Soon, he fell in with the religious group, Nation of Yahweh. In 1986, Rozier was arrested for 2 murders. After falling out with the Nation of Yahwehs leader, Yahweh ben Yahweh, Rozier turned state's evidence against him. Rozier pled guilty to 4 murders, earning him 22 years in jail. In 1996, he was released on parole. However, in 1999, Rozier was arrested for a bounced check. Due to Californias three-strike policy, he was sentenced to prison for 25 years to life.
Aaron Hernandez
Despite rumors of substance issues and off-field issues, Hernandez was signed by the New England Patriots as a tight end. His performances soon made him one of the leagues biggest prospects. Yet that changed in 2013 when he was arrested for the murder of semi-pro footballer Odin Lloyd. Allegedly, Hernandez may have shot Lloyd for fear of his bisexuality being leaked. In 2015, Hernandez was found guilty and sentenced to life. In 2017, he was then acquitted of the 2012 murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. Days later, Hernandez took his own life. In the aftermath, his lawyer filed an appeal against the Lloyd conviction, which was granted, vacating the sentence. However, in 2019, the conviction was reinstated.
O.J. Simpson
One of the most decorated players in NFL history, Simpson was a legend in the sport and also had a career as an actor. However, in 1994, his reputation was tarnished when he was charged with the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. While Simpson was acquitted, he was found responsible for their deaths in a civil trial in 1997 and ordered to pay $33.5 million. Then in 2007 when he was arrested for armed robbery of a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2008, after being found guilty, Simpson was sentenced to 33 years in jail. In 2017, he was released on parole before being completely discharged in 2021. He died in 2024.
Are there any other terrible crimes committed by NFL players that we missed? Let us know below.
