Ex-NFL RB Lawrence Phillips Suspect in Murder of Cellmate

Former St. Louis Rams running back Lawrence Phillips is facing a tough ordeal in his life again after he was declared as the primary suspect in the killing of his cellmate at Kern Valley State Prison.

On Monday, prison spokesman Lt. Marshall Denning said in a statement that the body of 37-year-old Damion Soward was found lifeless early Saturday, ESPN noted.

"Officials found Damion Soward, Phillips' cellmate, unresponsive in their cell at approximately 12:46 a.m. local time," noted Sporting News in its article.

Phillips is reportedly serving a sentence of 31 years after he was convicted of choking his girlfriend twice in 2005 then driving his car into three teenagers after a football game in Los Angeles. Soward, on the other hand, was serving 82 years for first-degree murder, added Yahoo Sports.

It was noted in the same report that Phillips was known in the NFL as a troubled player who sabotaged his "promising football career." During his stay at the University of Nebraska, the football player was reportedly suspended after he dragged his ex-girlfriend by her hair down a flight of stairs. His team, however reinstated him then won a national championship.

"Coach Tom Osborne brought Phillips back to the team after he had pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge and been suspended for six games. Phillips rushed for 165 yards and scored three touchdowns in Nebraska's 62-24 rout of Florida in the Fiesta Bowl that gave Nebraska with its second consecutive national title," detailed the New York Daily News.

In 1996, Phillips was drafted sixth overall by the St. Louis Rams with impressive running back Adrian Peterson being only the seventh pick.

"This is for reference on how amazing it was that the Rams took the troubled yet talented Phillips that high. Phillips was a massive bust for the Rams," added Yahoo Sports.

During his performance on the field, it was noted that Phillips was not productive since he was tough to deal with and only averaged 3.4 yards with the three teams he played for in the NFL. He was released by the Rams in 1997 for insubordination then he played for the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers.

After leaving the league, Yahoo Sports said he joined the Arena Football League, NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League hoping to continue his career but was not really successful because he had problems with his behavior.

It seems that problems continue to haunt the former NFL player even though he is already paying for his mistakes in the past. His history reveals that he is really tough to deal with and this may have been the case in the recent allegation against him.