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Josh Sills, an offensive lineman on the Philadelphia Eagles, was foundnot guiltyof first-degree felony charges for rape and kidnapping.
The August 2023 ruling was made after the jury deliberated for about three hours following a 5-day trial.
After the verdict was read, Sills said, “I’ve done nothing wrong, and I am glad that was proven today."
After being found not guilty, Sills was removed from the NFL’s commissioner exempt list. In a statement, the Eagles said he “will return to the team’s active roster."
Sills entered the League in 2022 and has played in one game since. Prior to joining the Philadelphia Eagles, he played college football for two different schools as a result of a transfer.
Here’s everything to know about Sills, including the crimes he was accused of and the court’s ruling.
Who is Josh Sills?
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Josh Sills, 25, is an offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles. Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022, the rookie played four snaps on special teams in a Week 5 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Prior to entering the League, the Ohio native played college football at West Virginia from 2016 to 2019 before transferring to Oklahoma State in 2020.
What crimes was Josh Sills accused of?
The Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office documents explicitly detail the alleged situation that took place. According to police, two women were on the scene: The alleged victim forced to perform the sexual activity and her cousin. Reportedly, her cousin had gone inside when the alleged assault occurred.
Per the report, the alleged victim was 21 years old at the time and had known Sills for approximately seven or eight years, having gone to high school with him. The responding officer reported bruising behind the victim’s knee, per the police report.
What was Josh Sills' indictment?
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Sills was indicted on two counts of first-degree felony charges: rape and kidnapping. The charges against the Eagles offensive lineman stem from an incident with a woman on Dec. 5, 2019, in Guernsey County, Ohio,according to the indictment.
When did Josh Sills appear in court?
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The trial began on Aug. 1 and lasted five days.
Has the Philadelphia Eagles team released a statement?
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In a statement issued to PEOPLE, the Philadelphia Eagles said, “The organization is aware of the legal matter involving Josh Sills. We have been in communication with the league office and are in the process of gathering more information. We have no further comment at this time.”
The team also posted the statement to itsofficial Twitter accounton Feb. 1.
After Sills was found not guilty, theEagles announcedthat he “will return to the team’s active roster."
Did Josh Sills play in the Super Bowl?
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When the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Feb. 12 in Arizona, Sillswas not allowed to play. TheNFL released a statementnoting that the indicted offensive lineman had been placed on the Commissioner Exempt List.
“Sills may not participate in practices and games or travel with the team while on the Commissioner Exempt List,” the League said in a statement released on Feb. 1. “The matter will be reviewed under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.”
source: people.com
