Philadelphia Eagles lineman Josh Sills will re-join team following not guilty decision on rape, kidnapping charges
Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Josh Sills has been found not guilty of rape and kidnapping charges stemming from an incident on Dec. 5, 2019.
Sills, placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Feb. 1, will return to the team’s active roster.
“We are aware that the legal matter involving Josh Sills has been adjudicated and he was found not guilty. The organization has monitored the situation,” the Eagles said in a statement Friday. “The NFL has removed him from the Commissioner’s Exempt List and he will return to the team’s active roster.”
A woman accused Sills, 25, of restraining and sexually assaulting her during his time in college. The woman reported the incident immediately, however, it took three years for the investigation to be complete. Following the verdict, Sills issued a brief statement:
“I’ve done nothing wrong, and am glad that was proven today,” Sills said, via Pro Football Talk.
Sills’ attorney, Michael Connick, said Sills can now resume building his football career after the non guilty verdict.
“He’ll be able to build his football career and grow as a person and be successful in all of the things that he chooses to do. It’s unfortunate he was accused of this. It cost him a Super Bowl appearance,” Connick said, via Josh Tolentino of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “He will move on and live his life in a very honorable fashion.”
Josh Sills to resume NFL career after non guilty verdict
Sills began his collegiate career at West Virginia before transferring to Oklahoma State ahead of the 2020 season. He went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, and signed with the Eagles as a free agent. During the 2022 season, Sills appeared in just one game for the Eagles against the Arizona Cardinals. He missed out on playing in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost respected, but did not agree with the jury’s decision.
“I still believe the victim,” Yost said. “But in America, criminal convictions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury did not see it, and I thank them for doing their duty under the law.”