Lawrence Phillips was once considered the top running back in America. However, his turbulent life off the field put an end to his promising career and was an indirect cause of his premature death.
On Jan. 13, Phillips was found dead in his prison cell. He was only 40 years old. According to Kern Valley State Prison, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Terry Thornton, Phillips is believed to have committed suicide.
Phillips was serving 31 years in prison for driving his car into a field with teens playing football and also assaulting an ex-girlfriend on two separate occasions. But he was also charged with murder in April 2015 after his cellmate was found strangled to death in the cell they shared. Phillips was awaiting trial for the murder charge.
During the early ’90s, Phillips won back-to-back championships with the University of Nebraska and played for three NFL teams (St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco).
Phillips’ death serves as another example of how fame can’t always solve all personal issues. The former athlete likely suffered from mental health problems that were not diagnosed during his youth. Phillips’ athletic ability was the top priority for the adults and coaches who praised his talents, but failed to get him personal help at an early age.
