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A Nebraska running back has been named by USA TODAY Sports as one of the 50 biggest NFL draft busts of the last 50 years. Lawrence Phillips was ranked as the sixth biggest draft bust in the last 50 years, according to writer Nate Davis.
The California native played at the University of Nebraska from 1993 to 1995. In his three seasons, he ran for 3,102 yards and 33 touchdowns for an average of 6.1 yards per carry. His best season was his sophomore season (1994) when he ran for 1,826 yards and 16 touchdowns.
During his time in college, he was one of the top running backs in college football and helped the Huskers win two National Championships. However, Phillips consistently got into trouble off the field, including a six-game suspension in 1995 after assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Head Coach Tom Osborne received heavy criticism from the media, fans, and even university faculty, who were frustrated by Osborne's refusal to kick Phillips off the team. The head coach would defend the decision to the media, saying that football was the only thing keeping him on track.
Phillips was selected with the sixth overall pick of the 1996 draft by the St. Louis Rams. He was considered one of the top players in the draft. ESPN analyst Joe Theismann stated, "everybody's called him the best player in the draft." Davis didn't hold back in his criticism of the former Husker.
After being cut by the Rams during his second season, he spent two games with the Miami Dolphins in 1997 and eight games with the San Francisco 49ers in 1999 before his NFL career came to a close.
Following his playing career, he would find himself in and out of legal trouble. In 2009, Phillips was sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison. The AP reported, "he was convicted of choking his girlfriend and later of driving his car into three teens after a pickup football game."
On September 1, 2015, Phillips was charged with the murder of his cellmate, Damion Soward. On January 12, 2016, while awaiting trial in solitary confinement, he was found unresponsive in his cell. Authorities determined that Phillips had committed suicide.
It was a sad end to a life that had been filled with so much promise. Now, his story is a cautionary tale.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips named NFL draft bust
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The California native played at the University of Nebraska from 1993 to 1995. In his three seasons, he ran for 3,102 yards and 33 touchdowns for an average of 6.1 yards per carry. His best season was his sophomore season (1994) when he ran for 1,826 yards and 16 touchdowns.
During his time in college, he was one of the top running backs in college football and helped the Huskers win two National Championships. However, Phillips consistently got into trouble off the field, including a six-game suspension in 1995 after assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Head Coach Tom Osborne received heavy criticism from the media, fans, and even university faculty, who were frustrated by Osborne's refusal to kick Phillips off the team. The head coach would defend the decision to the media, saying that football was the only thing keeping him on track.
Phillips was selected with the sixth overall pick of the 1996 draft by the St. Louis Rams. He was considered one of the top players in the draft. ESPN analyst Joe Theismann stated, "everybody's called him the best player in the draft." Davis didn't hold back in his criticism of the former Husker.
After being cut by the Rams during his second season, he spent two games with the Miami Dolphins in 1997 and eight games with the San Francisco 49ers in 1999 before his NFL career came to a close.
Following his playing career, he would find himself in and out of legal trouble. In 2009, Phillips was sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison. The AP reported, "he was convicted of choking his girlfriend and later of driving his car into three teens after a pickup football game."
On September 1, 2015, Phillips was charged with the murder of his cellmate, Damion Soward. On January 12, 2016, while awaiting trial in solitary confinement, he was found unresponsive in his cell. Authorities determined that Phillips had committed suicide.
It was a sad end to a life that had been filled with so much promise. Now, his story is a cautionary tale.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips named NFL draft bust
Continue reading...
