A former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion is at the center of a legal storm, facing up to 50 years behind bars for allegedly defrauding the U.S. government’s COVID-19 relief programs.
Wendell Smallwood Jr., a former Philadelphia Eagles player who was instrumental in the team’s 2018 Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots, has been charged with multiple felonies related to financial fraud during the pandemic.
Federal prosecutors accuse Smallwood, 30, of orchestrating a scheme to exploit relief programs meant to support struggling businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Court documents reveal that he allegedly submitted fraudulent applications to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). These programs, overseen by the Small Business Administration, were designed to assist businesses in weathering economic hardships caused by the pandemic.
Prosecutors claim Smallwood used defunct or recently established businesses to file false claims, exaggerating operations and financial needs. Additionally, he is accused of participating in a kickback conspiracy and providing falsified information to tax authorities.
Smallwood entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick out of West Virginia University in 2016. Over his career, he played for the Eagles, Washington, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville. Known for his versatility as a 5-foot-10 running back, Smallwood amassed 956 rushing yards, 474 receiving yards, 401 return yards, and eight touchdowns in his five-year NFL career.
His achievements on the field, including his role in securing the Eagles’ historic Super Bowl win, are now overshadowed by these grave accusations.
If convicted, Smallwood could face a sentence that would keep him incarcerated well into his senior years, effectively ending his life outside prison walls.
The case highlights the darker side of pandemic relief efforts, as billions of dollars in government aid became a target for fraud and exploitation. Federal authorities continue to crack down on individuals who abused these programs, and Smallwood’s case is one of the most high-profile to emerge.
Smallwood has yet to comment on the charges, and legal proceedings are ongoing. As the story unfolds, it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of integrity, even during times of crisis.