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Former Eagles Champion Facing Up to 50 Years in Prison for COVID Fraud Charges

An ex-Super Bowl champion with the Eagles is facing fraud charges.

By Richard Louis

Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman during pregame warmups against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman during pregame warmups against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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The Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots to secure their first-ever Super Bowl title.

Former running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. was a member of the team and was once on a high of being a champion, but things took a drastic turn. On Friday, it was revealed that Smallwood Jr. has been charged with fraud linked to COVID-19 relief programs.

Eagles News: Wendell Smallwood Jr. is Facing Fraud Charges

Smallwood Jr. is being charged with three felonies: wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. Those charges carry a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors are claiming that Smallwood Jr. submitted fraudulent information to government agencies so he could receive tens of thousands of dollars in payments tied to businesses he was in control of. Prosecutors also believe he was involved in a kickback conspiracy with others aimed at defrauding COVID-19 relief funds and lied to taxing authorities, according to a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors in the District of Delaware.

The 30-year-old has not been arraigned or entered a plea in the case. A hearing for that will happen sometime in December.

Smallwood Jr's attorney, Mark B. Sheppard, said, "Wendell has cooperated fully with this investigation. We will have more to say when we appear in December."

Smallwood Jr. played with the Eagles from 2016-2018. After leaving Philly, he had stops with the Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

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