What Happened to Wendell Lynn Smallwood Jr.?
Wendell Smallwood Jr. is an American former professional football player who played as a running back in the NFL, most notably winning Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles. His post-NFL career has been marked by legal troubles, including a conviction for COVID-19 relief and tax fraud, for which he was sentenced to federal prison in 2025. In August 2026, he was granted early release to be with his terminally ill daughter.
Quick Answer
Wendell Smallwood Jr., a former NFL running back and Super Bowl LII champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in September 2025 for defrauding COVID-19 relief programs and tax fraud. He also faced a concurrent three-year state prison sentence for unlawful possession of an assault firearm. However, in August 2026, Smallwood was granted early release from prison to spend time with his eight-year-old daughter, Mila, who is in palliative care after being diagnosed with an aggressive kidney cancer.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Wilmington, Delaware
Wendell Lynn Smallwood Jr. was born in Wilmington, Delaware.
Arrested for Witness Tampering
Smallwood was arrested in Delaware on charges of witness tampering related to a murder case, though charges were later dropped after his cooperation and a friend's plea.
Drafted by Philadelphia Eagles
Smallwood was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft after a successful college career at West Virginia.
Wins Super Bowl LII
As a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Smallwood earned a Super Bowl ring when the team defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Claimed by Washington Redskins
After being waived by the Eagles, Smallwood was claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins, where he played sparingly during the 2019 season.
Signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
Smallwood signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, spending most of the 2020 season on their practice squad.
Signed to Jacksonville Jaguars Practice Squad
Smallwood was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad, marking one of his final stints in the NFL.
Charged with COVID-19 and Tax Fraud
Former NFL running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. was charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the IRS related to COVID-19 relief programs.
Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges
Smallwood pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Delaware to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the IRS.
Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison
Smallwood was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $645,000 in restitution for his role in COVID-19 relief and tax fraud schemes.
Pleads Guilty to Firearm Possession
Smallwood pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm in New Jersey and was sentenced to three years in state prison, concurrent with his federal sentence.
Daughter Diagnosed with Terminal Cancer
Smallwood's eight-year-old daughter, Mila, was diagnosed with diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor, an aggressive and rare childhood kidney cancer, and entered palliative care.
Granted Early Prison Release
A judge approved a motion for Smallwood to withdraw his guilty plea for the firearm charge, leading to his early release from prison to be with his dying daughter.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Wendell Smallwood Jr.'s journey began as a promising collegiate running back at West Virginia University, where he led the Big 12 Conference in rushing in 2015. He was drafted by his childhood favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Smallwood spent three seasons with the Eagles, contributing to their historic Super Bowl LII victory in 2018 (2017 season), although he did not play in the game itself.
After his time with the Eagles, Smallwood had stints with the Washington Redskins/Commanders (2019, 2021), Pittsburgh Steelers (2020), and practice squad roles with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Football Team in 2021, marking the end of his active NFL career. While his professional football career was winding down, Smallwood became involved in fraudulent activities. From May 2020 through August 2023, he orchestrated and directed schemes to defraud federal COVID-19 relief programs and the Internal Revenue Service. Prosecutors alleged he submitted false applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds for defunct or recently registered businesses, and was involved in a kickback conspiracy.
In November 2024, Smallwood was charged with three felonies: wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the IRS. He pleaded guilty to these charges in December 2024, taking full responsibility for his actions. In September 2025, a U.S. District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, sentenced Smallwood to 18 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $645,000 in restitution. During the sentencing, Smallwood expressed remorse, stating, "I feel like I let the community down. I let my family down."
Further legal issues arose when Smallwood pleaded guilty in March 2026 to second-degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm in New Jersey, receiving a three-year state prison sentence to run concurrently with his federal sentence. However, a significant development occurred in August 2026. Smallwood's eight-year-old daughter, Mila, was diagnosed with diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor, an aggressive and rare childhood kidney cancer, earlier in the year and was given weeks to live. On August 7, 2026, a Gloucester County Superior Court judge approved a motion for Smallwood to withdraw his guilty plea for the firearm charge, citing a recent July ruling by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals that New Jersey's assault weapons ban was unconstitutional. This allowed for his early release from prison to be with his dying daughter.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Wendell Lynn Smallwood Jr. made different choices?