5 infamous convicted athletes

Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of murder on Wednesday and with that conviction, now joins the infamous ranks of athletes who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Here’s a list of the five most infamous convicted athletes:

O.J. Simpson

Perhaps the most notorious member of this list is O.J. Simpson, who was the center of a media circus and trial regarding the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Lyle Goldman. Simpson was famously acquitted of all charges. Simpson however was later found guilty and sentenced to 33 years in prison for multiple felonies (among which included kidnapping, and armed robbery).

Rae Carruth

Rae Carruth played in the Carolina Panthers as a wide receiver from 1997 to 1999, his career crashed after he was convicted of plotting to kill his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adam.ESPNreports:

According to testimony, Adams and Carruth had gone to the movies in Charlotte, stopped by his house to get her vehicle and then Adams followed Carruth to her house. Along a windy, two-lane road, Carruth stopped and a car pulled up beside Adams and shot into her vehicle.

Van Brett Watkins fired the shots and Michael Kennedy drove the car. Both pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testimony that Carruth paid Watkins $6,000 to kill Adams and the baby.

In a 911 call, Adams reported that she was following her boyfriend and that he slowed down and someone pulled up beside her and shot her and her baby.

Carruth was found guilty and sentenced to prison with a projected release in 2018.

Lawrence Phillips

Lawrence Phillips had a storied career in the NFL and CFL that spanned from 1996 till 2003. In 2005, Phillips was arrested for assaulting three teenagers with his car, and for two domestic violence incidents. Phillips was convicted and sentenced to 31 years in prison.

Philips may have found himself in more trouble, as he is now a suspect in the death of fellow prison inmate.

NBC San Diegoreports, “Lawrence Phillips, 39, is accused of killing his cellmate at Kern Valley State Prison, after Damion Soward, 37, was found unresponsive in his cell just before 1 a.m. on Saturday, officials said.”

Jayson Williams

Jayson Williams made a name for himself playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets. Williams was arrested, and plead guilty to the accidental accidental shooting death of a limousine driver and was subsequently sentenced to a prison sentence of 18 months. Williams was released in April of 2012. The former NBA player is reportedly looking for a second chance at life asNJ.comreports:

“Williams, in a dark suit and a bright red tie, said today that he accepts responsibility for his actions, and he doesn’t want a “pity party.” What he does want, he said, is a chance to help others struggling to stay out of prison.

“I want my children to be proud of me,” he said, before pausing as his voice cracked and his eyes filled with tears. “I want my mother to be proud of me.”

Michael Vick

Another notable and more recent member of the NFL to fall on the wrong side of the Law, was Michael Vick, whose career included five years with the Atlanta Falcons.

In 2007, Vick was implicated in a dogfighting ring that he had helped operate for five years. ESPN reported that “dogs that did not perform up to expectations were killed by electrocution, hanging, drowning and other violent means by the dogfighting ring.” Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail and released in 2009.