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Former Nebraska RB Lawrence Phillips found dead in jail cell of apparent suicide

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Nebraska Cornhuskers star running back Lawrence Phillips was found dead in his prison cell and police suspect he committed suicide.

Lawrence Phillips, 40, was found dead in his jail cell at Kern Valley State Prison on Wednesday morning of an apparent suicide, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

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Phillips was a star back under Tom Osborne at Nebraska from 1993-1995 where he teamed with quarterback Tommie Frazier to form one of the best backfields of all-time. But the signs were clear during his time in Lincoln that his future could be a short one if he couldn’t get his life in control.

He was the No. 6 pick of the Rams in the 1996 Draft but played only 35 games during his career with the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers before off-field incidents ended his career early and abruptly.

In 2008, Phillips was sentenced to 31 years in jail for domestic violence, spousal abuse, false imprisonment and vehicle theft. He was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his former cellmate and was facing the death penalty if convicted.

This ends the sad story of Phillips who could have been one of the greatest college and NFL running backs of all-time if he was able to get his life on track and avoid the pitfalls that tainted his college career, cut short what should have been a brilliant NFL career.

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In death, maybe Phillips will serve as a cautionary tale for young athletes who have unlimited potential and athletic gifts that could have their family set for generations, but if you go down the wrong path, you could end up like Phillips, who killed his career before apparently committing suicide.

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