When the Game Turns Dark: The Most Notorious NFL Players Involved in Murder, Rape, and Violence

Lawrence Phillips

Professional football demands aggression. But sometimes, that aggression escapes the field and spills into real life, leaving behind ruined lives, courtrooms, and prison cells. From convicted killers to serial predators and disgraced superstars, these are the most disturbing cautionary tales in NFL history: players whose legacies are defined by murder, rape, and violence.

1. Aaron Hernandez — A Fallen Star Turned Convicted Murderer

Once a dominant tight end for the New England Patriots, Aaron Hernandez’s life unraveled when he was convicted of the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. He was also indicted in a separate 2012 double homicide but acquitted shortly before taking his own life.

Where Are They Now?

Hernandez died by suicide in 2017 inside his prison cell at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. His brain was later found to have stage 3 CTE, an advanced form of trauma-induced degeneration typically seen in much older athletes. He was 27 years old.

2. Rae Carruth — Orchestrated the Murder of His Pregnant Girlfriend

Carruth was convicted in 2001 of conspiring to kill his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, who was shot by a hitman he hired. She died from her injuries, though her child, Chancellor Lee Adams, survived with permanent disabilities.

Where Are They Now?

Carruth was released from prison in October 2018 after serving nearly 19 years. He moved to Pennsylvania and has since remained mostly out of the public eye. His son, Chancellor, raised by his maternal grandmother, has become an inspirational figure in his own right.

3. Darren Sharper — From Super Bowl Hero to Serial Rapist

A five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Sharper was convicted of drugging and raping multiple women across four states. He pleaded guilty to federal and state charges, admitting to a pattern of predation over several years.

Where Are They Now?

Sharper is currently serving an 18-year sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Talladega, Alabama. He is eligible for release in the early 2030s. His fall from grace has erased his legacy in both the media and the Hall of Fame discussions.

4. O.J. Simpson — The Trial of the Century

Tried and acquitted in 1995 for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, O.J. was later found liable in civil court. He later served time for armed robbery in a bizarre Las Vegas case involving sports memorabilia.

Where Are They Now?

Simpson was released on parole in 2017 after serving nine years. Until his death in April 2024 from cancer, he maintained a controversial and frequently surreal presence on social media, posting videos from golf courses while avoiding direct discussion of his criminal past.

5. Lawrence Phillips — Violence on and off the Field

After years of violent behavior and multiple arrests, Phillips was serving a seven-year sentence for domestic violence when he was accused of murdering his cellmate in 2015. He died the following year in what was ruled a suicide.

Where Are They Now?

Phillips died in 2016 at Kern Valley State Prison in California. His story became a case study in the costs of enabling elite talent with unchecked personal instability. Postmortem investigations into his mental health and possible CTE have been inconclusive but troubling.

6. Antonio Brown — Civil Allegations and Eruptive Behavior

One of the most talented receivers of the 2010s, Brown faced multiple off-field controversies, including civil lawsuits alleging rape and sexual misconduct. He was never criminally convicted but faced repeated fines, team cuts, and league suspensions.

Where Are They Now?

Since leaving the NFL in 2022, Brown has spiraled further into erratic behavior. He made headlines for failed business ventures, unpaid debts, hostile outbursts, and even run-ins with law enforcement. His music career has been widely ridiculed, and he remains a pariah in both sports and entertainment circles.

7. Ray Rice — The Punch That Changed the League

The 2014 elevator footage of Rice knocking his fiancée unconscious became a national scandal. Though he avoided jail time through a pretrial diversion program, his football career ended abruptly.

Where Are They Now?

Rice never played again in the NFL. He has since participated in domestic violence awareness programs and has expressed remorse. While his name remains controversial, he has slowly re-emerged in public speaking circles, particularly in youth advocacy efforts.

The Line Between Power and Predation

These players were not just rule-breakers; they were symbols of deeper problems within the NFL and American sports culture. Whether driven by entitlement, trauma, or systemic negligence, the consequences were real and devastating. In every case, victims were silenced, injured, or killed, and the NFL was left to reckon with its role in empowering those who should have been stopped long before the spotlight faded.
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As the league pushes toward better conduct policies and concussion protocols, these stories remain grim reminders that talent and fame can’t excuse cruelty or erase consequences.