C.J. Spillman Convicted of 2014 Rape

This is why the NFL does all these background checks before drafting you into the NFL. But even in doing so, you may know a little more but not to the point where you get a bad apple. In the Dallas Cowboys’ case, they look like they need to dig a little deeper and avoid those with all the signs.

In 2015, hey brought in defensive end Greg Hardy in after he assaulted his ex-girlfriend. He was found guilty, appealed, then had the charges dropped when he paid the woman off. They have players starting the season suspended because of the NFL’s policy on substance abuse.

One of them is Randy Gregory, whom they took in the second round after he failed a drug test at the combine. Another is Rolando McClain, who hasn’t been able to behave since he’s been in the NFL. While McClain has 10 games to serve, Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence have four.

Now, we have former Cowboy C.J. Spillman, who was convicted of sexual assault on Thursday. The incident took place in 2014 at the Cowboys’ team hotel when Spillman played.

According to Claire Z. Cardona of the Dallas Morning News,  a jury found Spillman guilty in under two hours in a trial that began on Monday in Fort Worth, Tex. Spillman’s second degree felony sexual assault charge carries a sentence of between two and 20 years in prison.

Spillman admitted to having sex with the woman but claimed it was consensual sex. The jury obviously disagreed and his sentencing is scheduled for Friday. He has not been on an NFL roster since the conclusion of the 2014 season but that’s still a black eye for America’s Team.