Former Super Bowl champ facing prison sentence after pleading guilty

AFTER enjoying the ultimate success with the Philadelphia Eagles, an NFL player could be set to spend time behind bars.

FORMER Cleveland Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks plead guilty to insider trading charges and faces up to 25 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter asked Kendricks why he was pleading guilty.

“I’m making the decision because it’s the right thing to do,” he said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“I know that I made the decision to accept information, secret information, and it wasn’t the right thing to do.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18.

Kendricks used tips from an acquaintance to make about $1.2 million in illegal profits on four major trading deals, federal prosecutors said.

Co-defendant Damilare Sonoiki was paid $10,000 in kickbacks in the scheme from 2014-2015, as well as receiving perks like tickets to Eagles games and the chance to tag along to a music video shoot or nightclub appearances.

Sentencing for Mychal Kendricks will be on Dec. 18 after his guilty plea in federal court today. Faces up to 25 years in prison. His ability to pay back his gains from insider trading will likely help him

— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) September 6, 2018

Sonoiki had been working as a junior analyst at Goldman Sachs but left the financial field and has most recently been writing for TV shows.

Sonoiki’s lawyer told the Inquirer in an email that his client also would plead guilty, but no date has been set.

In a statement released by his lawyer, Kendricks said he was sorry and takes full responsibility for his actions.

“While I didn’t fully understand all of the details of the illegal trades, I knew it was wrong, and I wholeheartedly regret my actions,” he said in the statement. He also claimed he didn’t take any of the profits for himself, but didn’t elaborate on where the money went.

“I am committed to repaying all of the funds gained illegally and accept the consequences of my actions,” he said.

Kendricks had been co-operating with authorities since the investigation began.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is reviewing the situation.

Mychal Kendricks during a press conference when he was an Eagle.

The Browns said in a statement they are aware of the charges and on August 29 they officially released him from their roster.

“We will comment further at the appropriate time,” the team said in a statement.

The Browns signed Kendricks as a free agent in June, bringing on the Super Bowl winner to upgrade their linebacker corps following an 0-16 season.

Kendricks spent six years with the Eagles, who drafted him in the second round in 2012 after he played at California.

The 5-foot-11, 240-pounder recorded a team-high eight tackles in last season’s NFC Championship against Minnesota and had four in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl win.

Originally published as Former Super Bowl champ facing prison sentence after pleading guilty