10 NFL Players with Shocking Criminal Cases

The NFL has produced some great talents in the history of sports, but not every player managed to leave a legacy behind. The football players have often made headlines due to their performance, but also due to the wrong reasons.

Surbhi Khera
October 10, 2025
4 min read

10 NFL Players with Shocking Criminal Cases — © The Boston Globe-Pool Photo

Many NFL players shocked the world with their crimes and cases. They grabbed the limelight and outrage due to the shocking criminal cases. The darker side tarnished their career altogether; these high-profile scandals took away the fame, power, and chance in the professional sports.

10. Plaxico Burress

Plaxico Burress was involved in multiple legal issues and controversies that eventually led to his downfall in his NFL career. In 2008, he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a club. His firearm was unlicensed, and thus, he faced legal issues and was in prison for over 2 years. Later in 2008, he was involved in a car accident, followed by a tax evasion civil lawsuit in 2013.

9. Greg Hardy

Greg Hardy’s behavior led to NFL career fallout. In 2014, he was arrested because he assaulted his girlfriend and even strangled her. His violent behavior continued and led to multiple allegations of a similar pattern. In 2016, he was arrested in a cocaine possession case and was formally charged.

8. Adam Jones

Dallas Cowboys’ cornerback, Adam “Pacman” Jones, was involved in multiple scandals and controversies. He was suspended from the entire 2007 season by the NFL because of his involvement in the Las Vegas nightclub incident. During an altercation in the nightclub, three people were injured. Later, he was arrested multiple times because of his violent behavior, intoxication, and assault allegations.

7. Henry Rugs III

Henry Rugs III, a promising wide receiver, whose life was turned upside down in a split second because of speeding. In 2021, he was driving at 156 mph while he was intoxicated twice the legal limit of consumption. He crashed the car into another vehicle, which killed a 23-year-old girl and her dog. He was arrested and sentenced to 3-10 years in prison.

6. Lawrence Phillips

Lawrence Phillips is a perfect example of how a talent was destroyed by violence. He was convicted of multiple murders, domestic violence, assault, and drunk driving. As a result, he was sentenced to 31 years and four months in prison. He even murdered a cellmate in 2015. In 2016, he was found dead in his prison cell, which pointed towards suicide. His story became an example of how violence and anger can waste talent.

5. Rae Carruth

Rae Carruth’s case is one of the darkest moments in the history of the NFL. In 1999, he hired a hitman to murder his girlfriend, Cherica Adams, who was eight months pregnant at that time. Before slipping into a coma, she dialed 911 and identified Carruth. A month later, she passed away after delivering the baby through C-section. The baby survived permanent head injuries. Rae Carruth was sentenced to 18-24 years in prison.

4. Ray Rice

Baltimore Ravens’ player Ray Rice’s life turned upside down due to the elevator incident. CCTV footage surfaced in 2014, showing Rice physically abusing his wife, Janay Palmer. He punched her, leaving her unconscious in an elevator. He received public outrage, and the league suspended him indefinitely. Even his contract was terminated and he never played the game again.

3. Michael Vick

NFL quarterback Michael Vick was running an illegal dogfighting ring and was accused of animal abuse. He was found guilty of financing and participating in dogfights. He was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison and later had his suspension from the NFL indefinitely suspended.

2. O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson was involved in the infamous chase and trial. In 1994, Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman were found dead outside Nicole’s home. There was evidence, including blood drops and a glove full of blood. The evidence pointed towards Simpson, and when the police tried to arrest him, he fled. The police were trying to catch him, and the entire chase was broadcast. Later, he was involved in armed robbery and kidnapping and spent nine years behind bars.

1. Aaron Hernandez

New England Patriots’ tight end, Aaron Hernandez, was a rising NFL star and had the talent to dominate in the league. In 2012, he signed a $40 million contract, but destiny had some other plans. In 2013, the body of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional footballer, was found near Hernandez’s home. Odin Lloyd was the boyfriend of Hernandez’s fiancée’s sister. With multiple pieces of evidence, including the texts, surveillance footage, the blame was directed towards Hernandez. Later, he was found guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. He was also charged with another murder but was acquitted. He was found dead in prison just a few days after his acquittal.