Ex-NFL running back Lawrence Phillips found dead in prison

Lawrence Phillips story is finally over. This news coming just one day prior to Phillips’ death.

Phillips immediately became a suspect in the prisoner’s death and prosecutors had set in motion more charges and yet another trial meant to convict Phillips for the death.

“I feel myself very close to snapping, ” wrote Phillips in a letter dated March 5, 2015.

‘I feel my anger is near bursting and that will result in my death or the death of someone else’.

He had been housed alone in a segregation cell since April 2013 after allegedly killing his cellmate. Blood was discovered on both Soward’s body and Phillips’ clothing as well as many other personal items within the cell.

Lawrence Phillips was incarcerated in 2008.

After returning from a team suspension late in the season, Phillips starred in a Fiesta Bowl victory that wrapped up the Cornhuskers second national championship in a row and then turned pro, skipping his senior year. He went from Heisman Trophy candidate to pariah after beating a former girlfriend hours after a spectacular performance in a September 1995 win at Michigan State. The Rams were so sure that Phillips would be a star they traded Jerome Bettis to the Steelers.

Editor’s Note: Phillips gained 1,453 yards on 424 carries in his career, scoring 14 touchdowns. He was charged with misdemeanor assault, disturbing the peace and two counts of vandalism over an incident involving a fellow student.

Phillips played for the St. Louis Rams before being released in 1997 for insubordination. After he had some success with Barcelona in NFL Europe in 1998, a comeback attempt with the 49ers in 1999 also failed. He also spent time in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.

Phillips, 40, was serving a 31-year prison sentence for several offenses, including assaulting his ex-girlfriend twice in 2005 and intentionally ramming his vehicle into a group of teenagers after a pickup football game in Los Angeles.