American football Running back Wendell Smallwood has been rumored to be shot.
Born on January 20, 1994, 28-year-old Wendell Lynn Smallwood Jr. started his career at West Virginia playing college football. Before committing to West Virginia University, Smallwood had received offers from Boston College, Connecticut, Hawaii, Rutgers, and Temple.
Smallwood’s college career was eventful as he finished ninth in school history by the end of his junior year with 2,462 rushing yards to his name. Deciding to forgo his senior year, Smallwood entered the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Smallwood in the fifth draft round, and he played for the team from 2016 to 2018. He followed his time at the Eagles with a year’s stint at the Washington Redskins in 2019, then the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021, and as an offseason practice squad member for Jacksonville Jaguars, the Washington Football Team in 2021.
Did Wendell Smallwood From Philadelphia Eagles Die? There’s A Rumor He Was Shot
Despite the rumors, Wendell Smallwood, who was once a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, is not dead, nor has he been shot.
The rumors of his death are unfounded and have no basis in reality. Smallwood had not been troubled with the law since 2014, when he was accused and arrested for witness intimidation.
The then 20-year-old was arrested as an out-of-state fugitive for trying to get a witness to recent statements implicating a friend of Smallwood who was charged with first-degree murder.
The murder occurred on April 14, 2022. 51-year-old Manuel Oliveras was fatally shot at about 9 p.m. in the front courtyard of a row home near Greenhill Avenue and West Fourth Street.
Smallwood’s friend shot Oliveras, then 19-year-old Zakee Lloyd, who was arrested on January 8, 2013, and charged with first-degree murder and firearm possession.
According to the authorities, Smallwood called and tried to get the witness to come and make a false statement to the police recanting any previous statements. Through means that the police never publicized, the authorities identified Smallwood as the perpetrator of witness intimidation.
Smallwood was later let off when Lloyd confessed to his crime. Ever since this incident, Smallwood has not had any troubles with the law, so the rumors of him being shot seem to have been pulled out of thin air.
What Happened To Wendell Smallwood?
Despite a booming start, Wendell Smallwood’s football career seems to have recently stalled.
He came out of the gate swinging when it comes to football, and his time with the Philadelphia Eagles was filled with achievements. He scored his first career rushing touchdown months after signing his contract.
He was also part of their Super Bowl-winning game against the New England Patriots in his 2017 season. This was his second year in the NFL and the Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
However, his third season was uncertain as rumors began circulating that Smallwood would not make the roster the following year. Although his performance was admirable and dependable, rumors turned into reality following the more favored Jay Ajayi signing. Smallwood was waived during the final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.
Smallwood wouldn’t spend much time as a free agent as he was swooped up by the Washington Redskins on September 1, 2019. But this would begin Smallwood’s slow decline as he would not last more than a year on the Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers he joined the following year.
Since then, he has only participated in the NFL on the practice squad, and Smallwood’s future is looking more and more uncertain.
Wendell Smallwood’s Wife And Family
Wendell Smallwood was born to Nichelle Barber and Wendell Smallwood.
He also has a daughter named Mila; however, her mother is unknown to the public. He debuted his daughter on his Instagram as she is the first picture he posted.
As a kid, Smallwood was a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. His favorite player, Duce Staley, became his position coach once the Eagles drafted Smallwood.
Smallwood still has a lot of love for the Eagles and has repeatedly stated that he would love to return.