Fallen NFL Stars

Lawrence Phillips was an NFL star in the making during the 1994 Nebraska Cornhusker's season. Phillips rushed for over 100 yards in eleven straight games that year and was a key player in winning the National Championship and going undefeated.

With hopes of winning a Heisman trophy after starting the season with a bang, Phillips made a decision which would change his career, forever. Phillips jealously went after an ex-girlfriend assaulting her. Coach Osborne, subsequently, kicked Phillips off the team and then welcomed him back. Phillips was able to finish the season but he would never be the same again.

Phillips was drafted 6th overall in the 1996 draft to the St. Louis Rams but was later cut. He subsequently had a stint with the Miami Dolphins and San Fransisco 49ers, but ended his career in the CFL. After many assaults and domestic disputes, Phillips was sentenced to 10 years in prison for driving his car into three teenagers after a pickup football game.

Rae Carruth wasn't exactly seen as an NFL start to many people. He did have a good college career at Colorado and was seen to have great potential. After a few meager seasons with the Carolina Panthers due to injury, Carruth ran into his troubles with the law. A pregnant woman, Carruth was dating, was killed in a drive by shooting. Before she passed away she was able to describe what happened at the scene and that Carruth was involved. He was later sentenced to almost 19 years in prison for shooting into an occupied vehicle, using an instrument to destroy an unborn child, and conspiracy to commit murder.

Perhaps no other NFL player has fallen further then Michael Vick. During his freshman year of high school people could already see Vick was a special player. He received a full ride to Virginia Tech where he set many records for a freshman quarterback and was 3rd in voting for the Heisman.

After 3 collegiate seasons he was drafted number 1 overall to the Atlanta Falcons. Vick went on to set many QB rushing records and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2004. On December 10th, 2007 Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison for running a dog fighting operation. This trial and other bad money management choices has left Vick bankrupt. No one really knows if this once NFL star will ever put on a uniform again. He has many obstacles to overcome with the NFL and himself if he ever wants to play football again.