Lawrence Phillips found dead at age 40

Former St. Louis Rams running back Lawerence Phillips found dead at age 40.

Former football star Lawrence Phillips was found dead this morning at age 40 in his jail cell at Kern Valley State Prison, Terry Thornton told USA Today. Phillips was facing the death penalty for murder charges of his former cellmate at Kern Valley.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said this is being investigated as a suspected suicide, per the press release that was issued after the incident.

Phillips was a star collegiate running back at Nebraska in the early 1990’s, which led him to be drafted sixth overall in the 1996 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. Phillips totaled 2,777 yards while at Nebraska, while finding pay dirt 30 times. In 1994, Phillips rushed for 1,722 yards for the Cornhuskers, finishing third in the nation in total rushing yards and second in the then Big 8 conference.

There were high expectations coming out of college, and Phillips met most of them during his rookie season, rushing for 632 yards and finding the end zone four times. He averaged just over 12 carries a game while playing behind future Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis.

Phillips had a great rookie season, statistically speaking, but going into his sophomore season off-field incidents began to pile up. Phillips played 10 games with the Rams in 1997, rushing for 633 yards and eight touchdowns. Phillips was exactly what the Rams needed on the field a big, strong runner that could eat up chunks of yards, but he showed too much inconsistency for the Rams organization.

Phillips’ football career would be put on hold in 1998, as he dealt with more legal trouble, but he returned to play eight games in 1999. Phillips found himself caught up in serious legal trouble, which forced him to leave the game of football. His life after professional football would be dotted with time spent in and out of jail for charges that included various assault charges.