An NFL player for the Philadelphia Eagles has been charged with kidnapping and rape less than two weeks before the team’s Super Bowl game.
Joshua Sills, 25, the team’s offensive lineman, was charged Wednesday by Ohio prosecutors.
In 2019, he “engaged in non-consensual sexual acts and held the victim against her will,” they said.
The Eagles will play the Kansas City Chiefs for the championship in Arizona on February 12.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey Payden said in a statement Wednesday that the alleged incident occurred on Dec. 5, 2019.
They added that “the crime was immediately reported” and that the local sheriff’s office quickly began conducting a “thorough investigation.”
He was issued a summons to appear in court on February 16.
Both the team and the NFL released statements following the allegations.
“The organization is aware of the legal matter involving Josh Sills,” the Eagles said in a statement.
“We have spoken with the league office and are gathering additional information. We have no comment at this time.”
The NFL said: “The matter will be handled in accordance with the NFL’s personal conduct policy.”
