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Former NFL Running Back Lawrence Phillips Suspected of Murder

The sad and continually disastrous post-NFL life of former St. Louis Rams first-round pick Lawrence Phillips has taken an even uglier turn.

Serving a 31-year prison sentence on theft and spousal abuse convictions in California, Phillips has been named a suspect in the murder of his cellmate over the weekend.

Spending his prison term in Kern Valley State prison in California, Phillips is being accused of killing Damion Soward in their cell on Saturday.

According to NBC San Diego, Soward has been imprisoned on first-degree murder charges since 2009.

Phillips, 39, was seen as the next great NFL running back when the Rams picked him sixth overall in the 1996 draft. However, a combination of lackluster on-field performances and major issues off the field limited the Nebraska product to a total of 35 games in five NFL seasons.

On the field, he’s best known for missing a block that led to the career-ending concussion that Steve Young suffered with the San Francisco 49ers in 1999.

Photo: Sporting News

 

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