Philadelphia Eagles player charged with rape ahead of Super Bowl

PHILADELPHIA — A player for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles was charged with kidnapping and rape two weeks before the team was scheduled to play in the Super Bowl.

Joshua Sills, 25, the team’s offensive security guard, was indicted Wednesday by Ohio prosecutors.

In 2019, he “engaged in non-consensual sex and had a victim against her will,” they say.

The Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the championship on February 12th in Arizona.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey Padden said in statements Wednesday that the alleged incident occurred on December 5, 2019.

They added that “the crime was reported immediately,” and the local sheriff’s office immediately launched a “detailed investigation.”

He was issued a subpoena to appear in court on February 16.

Both the team and the NFL released statements after the indictment.

“The organization is aware of the legal issues involving Josh Sills,” the Eagles said in a statement.

“We are in contact with league officials and are gathering further information. We have no further comment at this time.”

“This matter will be reviewed under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy,” the NFL said.

Sills added that he was placed on the commissioner’s exemption list, barred from games, practices and team travel.

Sills will be the team’s rookie in 2022 and has played one regular season game this past year. — BBC