Former NFL player Stanley Wilson Jr. has passed away at the age of 40. The Detroit Lions cornerback died after collapsing at a mental hospital in early February. He was the son of former Cincinnati Bengals running back Stanley Wilson Sr.
Wilson Jr. was drafted by the Lions in 2005 in the third round of the NFL Draft. He played for three seasons before suffering a career-ending Achilles tendon injury. Post that, he continued to make headlines due to his legal issues and multiple arrests. Continue reading to know more about his life and career.
Former Detroit Lions Cornerback Stanley Wilson Jr. Dies at 40
Wilson Jr. was in police custody in the last few months. On February 1, he was transferred from county jail to the Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles, which takes care of people with mental health issues. As per sources close to the police, the footballer collapsed upon reaching the medical facility and died shortly after.
The law enforcement agencies have not found any foul play. The autopsy results are awaited. Wilson had been in custody since he broke into a Hollywood Hills mansion in August last year. At the time, he moved various items in the house and took a bath in an outdoor fountain. He was then arrested but declared unfit to stand trial.
Wilson Made His NFL Debut in 2005
Born in Carson, California, in 1982, Wilson enrolled at Stanford University in 2000 and went on to play four seasons for the Stanford Cardinal football team. In his senior year in 2004, he had 54 tackles, and five passes defended, the highest in his college career. He also earned an honorable mention at the All-Pac-10 honors.
In 2005, he was the 72nd overall pick by the Detroit Lions. Wilson played 32 games with the team from 2005 to 2007 and had 86 tackles and eight passes defended. In November 2007, he was placed in the reserve due to a knee injury.
The player then got his deal renewed by the Lions for one year in April 2008. However, during a game with the New York Giants, he tore his Achilles tendon and could not play any further. The injury effectively ended his NFL career.
The Footballer Faced a Number of Arrests in the Last Few Years
After ending his NFL journey, Wilson consistently made news for his legal issues. In 2016, he tried to break into an old man’s house in Portland, Oregon but was shot by the owner. He recovered after spending a few days in the hospital. He was later charged with attempted burglary and sentenced to 10 days in prison and three years of probation.
The court also ordered him to pay restitution for damages and write apology writers. In January 2017, he was taken into custody after being found roaming naked in a neighborhood in Portland. The police found him to be on drugs at the time. The subsequent month, he was again arrested for trying to break into and burglarizing a home naked.
Our condolences to Stanley Wilson Jr.’s family. May his soul rest in peace!