With news breaking that former New England Patriots’ tight end Aaron Hernandez has been found guilty of first-degree murder for the killing of Odin Lloyd in 2013, it brings to mind other NFL players who have been involved in their own criminal activity in the past.
In fact, the laundry list of crimes and arrests is so extensive, we have actually drafted this mock NFL all-time criminal team.
Quarterback: Michael Vick (Currently Unsigned)
Vick was indicted on charges for violation of laws prohibiting dog fighting in 2007. He pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 23 months in prison, and also served an NFL suspension. He returned to the NFL in 2009 where he played for the Philadelphia Eagles for five years and the New York Jets in 2014.
Should the unsigned free agent remain without a team for the 2015 season, let’s just hope we do not spot him clerking at our local Pet Smart.
Running Back: O.J. Simpson
Courtesy of Fox News
Found not guilty in 1994 for the double murder of his wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, this former No. 1 pick back in 1969 escaped what would have surely been life in prison. However, he screwed up his good thing in 2007 and was convicted on 12 criminal charges, including robbery with a deadly weapon along with first-degree kidnapping stemming from a Las Vegas hotel incident involving stolen sports memorabilia.
Wide Receiver: Rae Carruth
In a disgusting execution-style shooting of his pregnant, ex-girlfriend, Carruth was sentenced to prison for a minimum of 18 years and 11 months for his conspiracy role in her death. Fortunately, the baby the woman was carrying was able to be saved. His reported release date is October 22, 2018, which is just a few scary, short years away.
Tight End: Aaron Hernandez
Just found guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Odin Lloyd in 2013, Hernandez will serve a mandatory sentence of life in prison without a possibility of parole. While he sits in prison, he can look forward to an upcoming trial for which he is accused of double-murder charges stemming from the death of two men in Boston back in 2012.
Fullback: Dennis McKinley
McKinley was convicted on 19 counts for conspiracy, possession and drug trafficking of marijuana. He was cut by the Arizona Cardinals and sentenced to serve 2.5 years in prison in 2003.
Offensive Tackle: Cornell Green
Green was originally charged with felony aggravated battery for reportedly beating the mother of his two children with a mop handle in 2009. In the end, his felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and he served 12 months probation. Green last played five games for the Buffalo Bills in 2010.
Guard: John Moffitt
Courtesy of CBS Sports
Moffitt’s lewd behavior of urinating in a mall parking lot after already being banned from the Bellevue Square mall had him pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct. The sentence for not utilizing a proper restroom facility? A $1,407 fine and 24 months in jail. That was an extremely costly potty break.
Defensive End: Charles Grant
Grant was indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from a night club incident where a pregnant woman was killed by a stray bullet in a ruckus in 2008. Pleading no contest to a misdemeanor public fighting charge as part of a plea deal, the manslaughter charge was dropped. Grant was fined $1,000 with one year of probation. He also had to fork over $20,000 in restitution for the investigation.
Defensive Tackle, Terrance Cody (Currently Unsigned)
As of late, the Baltimore Ravens have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to any type of arrests or crimes. Therefore, Cody found himself immediately cut from the team after being indicted for animal cruelty charges topped off by a misdemeanor drug charge in 2015.
The animal cruelty charges reportedly relate to abuse involving an alligator and the eventual death of Cody’s dog.
Linebacker: Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson
Courtesy of NY Daily News
Partying a but too much, Henders was cut from the team and broke just a few years later when he was arrested for sexually assaulting two minor girls. Oh and by the way, he thought the sex was consensual and admitted that he paid for his crack. The former $28 million lottery winner pleaded no contest to six felonies and was sentenced to four years and eight months prison.
Clean and sober now, Henderson, 62, spends his time as a motivational speaker and raising funds for charitable causes.
Cornerback: Darryl Henley
Let’s just say Henley won’t be seeing the light of day for a very long time. Currently serving a 41-year sentence for cocaine trafficking and for attempting to hire contract killers to murder the judge overseeing his cocaine trial, he is not eligible for release from prison until 2031.
Safety: Darren Sharper
Courtesy of the Associated Press
Sharper was recently sentenced to 20 years, but is eligible for release just after nine for pleading guilty to drugging then raping nine women across the United States during a multi-year spree. For such a series of horrible crimes, the fact this creep could be sneaking around the country pursuing any woman again in possibly nine years is absolutely unthinkable.
Kicker: Jeff Reed
A hot temper and a bit of alcohol led to two arrests of Reed in 2009. One incident found an intoxicated Reed arrested outside of a restaurant by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ stadium where he allegedly raised his fists to cops while resisting arrest. His charges of simple assault and resisting arrest were dropped, and he was assigned 40 hours of community service.
Reed was also arrested for throwing a tantrum in the bathroom of a convenience store. He allegedly took his frustrations out on a paper towel holder after finding it empty. But hey, at least he washed his hands. Reed pleaded guilty and paid $544 in fines.
In conclusion of his mock NFL all-criminal draft, we can see these crimes range from the unimaginably heinous to the absolute silly. As for some, the end of their NFL careers were the least of their problems. For others, they can look back at their stupidity and show gratitude for overcoming a dark place in their lives.
Criminal references other than those linked above are provided by UTSanDiego.com.
Photo: USA Today Images