'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAAmjf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAABv/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAeEAEBAAEEAwEAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABAVRERITsf/aAAgBAQABPwDFx2zM21vCWOOVqPnNTdApb7ddaeN4xVGg6cfl/df/xAAZEQABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBEH/2gAIAQIBAT8AS3K7T//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEv/aAAgBAwEBPwC2f//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 – Lawrence Phillips
The St. Louis Rams selected running back Lawrence Phillips with the sixth-overall pick in the 1996 draft. His off-field issues, however, more than tarnished his career in the pros.
Phillips had various legal troubles during his career in both the NFL and CFL. During his playing days, he had various problems with the law, including driving his car into a group of teenagers and assaulting his girlfriend.
After being sent to prison for 31 years, he was accused of killing his cellmate Damion Soward. However, before he could be convicted, Phillips hung himself in his cell. The judge stated there was enough evidence to convict Phillips of the murder.
#2 – Rae Carruth
Rae Carruth was a promising wide receiver with the newly-formed Carolina Panthers before his off-field issues stopped his career in its tracks. Carruth was convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for his part in the death of his girlfriend, Cherica Williams.
Williams was eight months pregnant with Carruth’s child at the time. Prosecutors contended Carruth wanted Williams killed for refusing to abort the child.
Carruth was immediately released by the Panthers. He was also suspended indefinitely by the NFL. He was found guilty and sentenced to 18 to 24 years in prison. After serving 18 years, he was released in 2018.
#1 – Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez’s case is well-known across the league. Most of us can recall it happening in real time due to the shocking circumstances. As a tight end for the New England Patriots, he formed a lethal duo with Rob Gronkowski while catching passes from Tom Brady.
However, Hernandez’s life was turned upside down when his house was searched in connection with the murder of his friend Odin Lloyd.
He initially assured Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft that he had nothing to do with the murder. After being charged, however, the Patriots immediately released him.
Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. In 2017, five days after he was acquitted for the murder of two more people, Hernandez committed suicide in jail.
