5 NFL Players Known for Gruesome Crimes
The athletes we idolize lead far from perfect lives. Behind the fame and fortune, star football players must still contend with the average problems of daily human existence. On top of that, some players have a criminal background, an aspect of celebrity status fans don’t want for themselves. Here are five NFL players who are known for more than their prowess on the field.
Jim Dunaway
In the 1970s, Jim Dunaway played defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins. He was also the primary suspect in the 1998 murder of his ex-wife, who was found dead in a swimming pool. Her autopsy revealed she had suffered severe injuries before her killer dumped her in the pool. Dunaway was appealing the terms of their divorce, which gave his ex-wife several acres of land, a monthly allowance, and half of his professional pension. He was arrested but was not indicted. His children filed a civil wrongful death suit against him and received over $500,000 in damages in 2002.
Rae Carruth
A wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers in the 1990s, Rae Carruth is also known for hiring a friend to murder a woman who was pregnant with his child. The murder attempt ended the woman’s life, but the child survived. Carruth fled until authorities found him hiding in the trunk of his car. In 2001, he was found guilty of conspiring to murder and received an 18-25-year prison sentence. His expected release date is October 22, 2018.
Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis is a retired linebacker accused of getting into a verbal and physical fight with two men at a Super Bowl party in 2000. The men were found stabbed to death when Lewis became the primary suspect. A search of his limousine returned a suit that contained the blood of both victims. The player was indicted on two murder counts, but the prosecutor dropped charges after the case went to trial. The men’s murder remains a mystery.
Eric Naposki
A New England Patriots player with a successful career, Naposki’s life turned dramatically when he was charged for murdering a woman’s boyfriend so that he could collect the boyfriend’s life insurance policy. The murder took place in 1994 and Naposki continues to serve life without parole.
Keith Wright
This lineman was sentenced to an astounding 234-year sentence for a string of home invasions and sexual assaults in California. In 2012, Wright was convicted of 19 different charges, ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping.
Whether you’re a star player or a football fan, facing criminal charges can have devastating consequences for your reputation, family, and future. At The Umansky Law Firm, attorney William Umansky fights aggressively for your rights, with the support of a knowledgeable staff and over 20 years of experience in the greater Orlando area. We believe that everyone deserves a second chance. Call us today for a free case review.
