[link=(profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/13/lawrence-phillips-found-dead-in-prison-cell/)]Pft[/link]

Words of an SR member but pretty much sums up everything I feel

quote:
Held indefinitely in solitary, slowly losing what little sanity you might have, knowing you will spend the rest of your life in prison. Not the least bit surprised that he finally killed himself.

I feel for this guy.

I remember reading articles about the letters he was writing to his college coaches. Reading those letters made me really feel for him. He talked about the violence in prison and you could tell that he wasn't cool with it. It's a damn shame that he had to resort to killing someone in prison and that sealed his fate, ultimately taking any chance for rehabilitation out of his future.

Everyone with the "lock them up and throw away the key" mentality has no idea what it's like to be in prison. People in Phillips' situation have to throw away any morals or beliefs that were previously held and substitute those with a code of violence just to survive in prison. Nobody wants to be raped by another man. The fact that rape is acceptable in prison makes it even worse.

I hope he is finally at peace.

Seriously, RIP.

Guy was one of my favorite CFB backs I hope he's at peace now

This post was edited on 1/13/16 at 2:34 pm

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Posted by TechDawg2007

Bawville

Member since Nov 2007

32249 posts

Posted on 1/13/16 at 2:38 pm to Brandincookem

Here are some of the letters he wrote his coach

quote:
quote:
MAY 3, 2015

Dear Coach D,
How are you doing coach? I am doing well.
As far as the package, due to my current situation I may not be allowed it. So if you have not already sent the package do not send it.
I cannot speak of the situation here but I am alright. Please let anyone know who asks you that.
I hear Husker spring practices are a little more spirited. That is a plus. I do not think teams will ever practice how we practiced. … If a team ever comes back to that mentality, they will crush the college ranks.
Alright Coach D, that’s all from here.

quote:
APRIL 9, 2015

Dear Coach Pagone,
I was able to get the necessary paper to prove that the court had made a mistake in closing my case in appeal. I was not informed of the ruling by the court and could not have responded in time.
When I refer to prison lawyers, I am referring to guys who have been incarcerated for 20-30 years and have been in the courts for most of those years. They pretty much have a top notch legal education.
Once you have been out of the hole for a certain amount of time you are cleared for a lower security prison. I have been cleared but I have not been moved. There are many people in this same boat. They say it is due to the overcrowding.
On the Level IV yards, which is the highest level, not many people go home. Most have life or 30-40-50 years and in some cases 350 years. So not much new space opens. Hopefully my time will come soon.

quote:
SEPT. 14, 2014

Dear Coach D,
Huskers kicked butt out there. I only listened to the radio. The game was not televised here. (Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah) has a real chance at the Heisman and the Huskers could win the Big 10, although the Big 10 is a bit watered down with the injury to O-State Q.B. (Braxton Miller).
NFL is going through some stuff. Unfair to blame the NFL for what guys do. … These misdeeds by the players (are) being used by the liberal parties and the media to further their particular interests. Next they will be forcing out owners like they did with the Los Angeles Clippers owner (Donald Sterling).
Well, there is nothing new happening here. We are still locked down. One of the guards was assaulted so it may be awhile. Coach D, this place is a jungle. Trouble everywhere. One must swallow his pride constantly or one will always be in the hole. But we must deal with the situation we put ourselves in.

quote:
JULY 6, 2014

Dear Coach Zane,
I hear you were in Hawaii. I am sure you had a good time. Remember when we went out there and kicked their butt in the all-star game and they tried to hold up our bus and all that crap? Good times.
Well there is not much happening here. We are still on lock down because they found a hacksaw in someone’s cell. Apparently people use the saw to cut up the bunks and make knives. It is completely nuts in here. It is pretty much a free for all.

quote:
JUNE 15, 2014
Dear Coach Pagone,
I received your letter and package a day apart. We do get the packages in lock down as the companies do not really want the items back.
We have been in lock down about 80% of the time. You would be surprised at what these altercations are about! Nonsense! But when your world is this small all one has to care about is nonsense. That is why I do not want any of these idiots in the cell with me.
All they they want to do is the drugs, make knives and make alcohol. Then they say when they get out they will not come back. I tell them of course you will. You are doing the same thing that got you locked up. Of course they do not want to hear that. It is like speaking to a brick wall.
Now I understand how people must have felt talking to me. So needless to say I have zero friends inside here. Not one person is in line with my way of thinking.
Well that’s all from here, Pagone. I will stay out of trouble. I might have to endure some write-ups for refusing a cell mate though. Better that than them getting me into serious trouble.

quote:
MAY 29, 2014

Dear Coach Pagone,
We are still today on lock down due to some stabbings and assaults between black and white inmates. It has been ongoing for sometime.
I am glad to hear Marie’s wedding was great. Usually an open bar leads to a lot of dancing.
I do not have a cell mate. All of these dudes want to use drugs and (illegible) weapons in the cell. I’m in the process of applying for single-cell status. I will let you know how that goes.

quote:
JAN. 14, 2014

Dear Coach Zane,
How are you doing? I’m doing well. As you might have noticed on the envelope, I have been moved from the cell I was in. I spent some days in the hole for refusing to room with a gang member. They have now took my privileges, which include yard (exercise), canteen, vendor packages, and all personal property for 180 days. I will of course appeal this decision as I was refusing to room with gang members after already having had incidents with gang members.
At any rate, I just wanted to write to you and let you know in case that the package I requested was returned. I have not received any mail since moving, so I do not know if you sent the package. They are supposed to re-route mail, but they usually don’t check and make sure they guy in the cell is the correct guy to receive the mail. At any rate, I will appeal the situation and I should get relief due to my several incidents involving gang members.
We are on lock down at this time due to a murder and the stabbing of five other dudes.
I hope you and your family are well and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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Posted by Brandincookem

Member since Sep 2014

1552 posts

Posted on 1/13/16 at 3:06 pm to TechDawg2007

Saddens me that when a guy finally gets it together it's too late. I'm sure him killing the other prisoner was self defense, don't blame him It's a kill or be killed in that hell hole literally those cons are savages. Those guys are literally treated like and act like animals in those cages.

Reading these you feel he may have found maturity and sense later in life, too bad mistakes of his youth caused him to throw his life away with one horrible mistake in life. Life waits on no one, the world bends for no one.

Worst thing is to waste the gift of life. Can't say I feel sorry but I wish guys like him would have known the consequences of thier actions fully and valued thier freedom a little more.

quote:
You would be surprised at what these altercations are about! Nonsense! But when your world is this small all one has to care about is nonsense. That is why I do not want any of these idiots in the cell with me.
All they they want to do is the drugs, make knives and make alcohol. Then they say when they get out they will not come back. I tell them of course you will. You are doing the same thing that got you locked up. Of course they do not want to hear that. It is like speaking to a brick wall.
Now I understand how people must have felt talking to me. So needless to say I have zero friends inside here. Not one person is in line with my way of thinking.
Well that’s all from here, Pagone. I will stay out of trouble. I might have to endure some write-ups for refusing a cell mate though. Better that than them getting me into serious trouble.

This post was edited on 1/13/16 at 3:13 pm

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Posted by King George

Member since Dec 2013

5353 posts

Posted on 1/13/16 at 3:33 pm to Brandincookem

quote:
Lawrence Phillips dead

Should we?

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Posted by kizomich

New Orleans

Member since Aug 2005

2281 posts

Posted on 1/13/16 at 3:50 pm to Brandincookem

quote:
Nobody wants to be raped by another man. The fact that rape is acceptable in prison makes it even worse.

This is the only part of your post I agree with.

He was dangerous human being, both in and outside of prison. He was where he belonged.

Saints?

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Posted by Cheesy Beaver

Kenna brah

Member since Dec 2014

4424 posts

Posted on 1/13/16 at 4:09 pm to Brandincookem

Awesome saints related news. There's a board that this thread belongs on. I think it's called the more sports board?

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Posted by dbuchanon

Member since Nov 2014

19837 posts

Posted on 1/13/16 at 8:15 pm to Brandincookem

He is one of my alltime least fav CFB players.
Because he was part of that Husker team that crushed my Gators. :(

RIP

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Posted by Tiger in Texas

Houston, Texas

Member since Sep 2004

20852 posts

Posted on 1/13/16 at 10:02 pm to Brandincookem

Why is this on the Saints board?? Totally irrelevant!

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Posted by JustinT37

Hammond, LA

Member since Sep 2014

1806 posts

Posted on 1/13/16 at 10:42 pm to Brandincookem

You sure do talk like you know something, but I don't agree with anything! I have no sympathy for someone who takes another persons life. It wasn't 1 mistake and you excuse it with youth. And then you say "Don't blame him" wtf? Is he not suppose to be responsible for his actions?

This post was edited on 1/13/16 at 10:54 pm

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Posted by Brandincookem

Member since Sep 2014

1552 posts

Posted on 1/14/16 at 4:38 am to JustinT37

Clearly the guy has stated multiple times he takes full responsibly for his actions. God forbid you ever frick up in life, that was 15 or so years ago everyone has the right to grow.

Again clearly the guy takes full responsibly for his actions.

Man frick you dude the guy grew up in a terrible environment, foster care, and types of other dysfunctional shite you don't ridicule these people you find them help.

You wouldn't even understand the hell with you

quote:
To many who follow football, this latest episode cemented Phillips' image as a man whose athletic prowess had won him chance after chance, while personal demons kept using them up.

Friends saw signs of despair in his public meltdown, irreconcilable with the often charming, smart and generous man they know.

"It sounds to me like he's hit rock bottom and he's asking to be disciplined," said Houston Texan quarterback Tony Banks, who played with Phillips on the St. Louis Rams.

Thomas Penegar Jr., Phillips' closest friend since they met as 12-year-olds at a West Covina group home, said a childhood tinged with neglect and abuse had left Phillips unable to tolerate even a hint of humiliation.

"When you grow up in a group home," Penegar said, "the last thing you want is for somebody to make fun of you."

Troubled Childhood

Phillips was named Lawrence after a father he hardly knew, friends say. He spent his early years with his mother in South Los Angeles and Inglewood.

At 11 he entered the foster care system, after clashing with his mother's abusive live-in boyfriend, and stopped attending school, Penegar and a former school administrator said.

He skipped most of fifth grade and was shuttled from a foster home to a juvenile detention center and, finally, to the group home, said Ty Pagone, a former a.ssistant principal at Baldwin Park High School.

At the home, Phillips and Penegar found discipline, structure, decent food and each other -- in as close to a family-like environment as they'd ever get.

"We loved that place," Penegar said. " ... We knew once we were emancipated from it, nobody was going to do anything for us."

Penegar read poorly before entering the home. Phillips helped him with homework and never ridiculed him for mispronouncing words, said Penegar, who eventually went on to earn a college degree.

The home's owners, two sisters, steered Phillips into sports, particularly football.

Tony Zane, then a coach at Baldwin Park High, took Phillips in hand as well, picking him up for school each day at 7:15 a.m.

"You could tell there were some issues from his past, but he didn't talk about them," Zane recalled. "He was a regular kid, a nice kid with a good work ethic."

Pagone said Phillips was well-mannered, smart and hard-working. Pagone and his wife, Christine, hosted at their home the many recruiters who came to woo him after he led Baldwin Park to the 1991 Southern Section Division IV championship.

Phillips landed in the storied University of Nebraska football program in Lincoln, where he got off to a rocky start. He missed the first game after being suspended for f!ghting with a teammate, according to some newspaper accounts.

But he soon became a breakout star and, heading into his junior season, a contender for the Heisman Trophy.

This post was edited on 1/14/16 at 4:39 am

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Posted by Kcrad

Diamondhead

Member since Nov 2010

54745 posts

Posted on 1/14/16 at 7:44 am to Brandincookem

Phillips died January 13, 2016 at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, California where he was serving a seven-year term for felony assault with a deadly weapon and was set to serve an additional twenty-five years once that sentence elapsed for domestic assault on his girlfriend.

From Wiki

This is why he was in prison. He had some domestic assaults prior to this. One time he drug his girlfriend down the stairs by her hair(I believe this was him).

He did not belong on the streets.

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Posted by geauxtigers87