Former Detroit Lions defensive back Stanley Wilson Jr. has died at the age of 40.
According to TMZ, Wilson collapsed at a mental hospital in Los Angeles earlier this month.
The cause of his death has not been confirmed, but autopsy results are pending toxicology reports.
The Lions drafted the former defensive back in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and he played for the team for three seasons until an Achilles injury ended his career prior to the 2008 season.
Following his retirement, Wilson had multiple run-ins with the law. He faced attempted burglary charges in 2016 after being shot while allegedly trying to break into a Portland home in the nude.
He was also arrested in 2017 for walking around a Portland neighborhood naked and for another alleged attempted break-in.
In August, he was arrested for breaking into a home and taking a bath in an outdoor fountain after ransacking the place.
He was deemed incompetent to stand trial and transferred to the Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles on February 1 where he later collapsed and died.
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Throughout his professional football career, Wilson appeared in 32 games, recording eight pass breakups, a forced fumble, and 87 total tackles.
Wilson’s father, Stanley Wilson Sr., also played in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and finished his career with 89 tackles.
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the long-term effects of concussions and other injuries sustained on the field, and the NFL has faced criticism for its handling of player safety.
Increasingly, many athletes involved in high-impact sports like football suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to repeated head injuries and concussions sustained during their competitive careers.
The NFL has taken steps to address these concerns, including the introduction of new rules and regulations aimed at reducing the risk of injury. However, the issue remains a contentious one, and the league continues to face scrutiny over its approach to player safety.
Rest in Peace, Stanley.
