Less than two weeks before the biggest game of his career, Philadelphia Eagles star Josh Sills has been charged with rape and kidnapping offences which date back to December 2019.
The backup offensive lineman had a good chance of playing some part in the Super Bowl on February 12 as the Eagles take on Kansas City Chiefs in Arizona, but has now been placed on the NFL commissioner exempt list.
Sills has been charged with rape and kidnap offences and has been summoned to appear before Guernsey County Common Pleas Court at 1pm on February 16.
The Attorney General released a statement which said: “In December 2019, the indictment says, Sills engaged in sexual activity that was not consensual and held a victim against her will.
“The crime was immediately reported, and the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office conducted a detailed investigation. The case was presented to the grand jury and is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions Section of the Attorney General’s Office.”
Sills played college football for West Virginia and then Oklahoma State before being declared in last year’s NFL Draft. Despite being unselected he later signed for the Eagles.
His only appearance this season came in week five against the Arizona Cardinals when he was involved in four snaps. However, he now faces missing the Super Bowl after the NFL announced that he has 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 NFL said in a statement. “The matter will be reviewed under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.”
As it stands Sills will be unable to compete in the Super Bowl unless he is lifted off the commissioner exempt list before the final on February 12.
“The organisation is aware of the legal matter involving Josh Sills,” the Eagles said in a statement on Wednesday. “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.”