Eagles player Joshua Sills indicted on rape and kidnapping charges ahead of the Super Bowl
Joshua Sills, an offensive guard for the Philadelphia Eagles, has been indicted on rape and kidnapping charges for a 2019 incident in Guernsey County, Ohio, court documents show. The charges come just days before the team heads to the Super Bowl.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey D. Paden announced the charges in a press release on Wednesday. Sills, 25, was indicted on one charge of rape and one charge of kidnapping, both first-degree felonies.
The indictment alleges that in December 2019, Sills forced the victim into unwanted sexual activity and held her against her will. Officials said the victim reported it immediately to the Guernsey County Sheriff's Office, which investigated the case before charges were brought.
A rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles, Sills, who is from Ohio, was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He played at West University before transferring to Oklahoma State, where he played for one year, according to his team bio.
The Eagles are heading to Super Bowl LVII to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 12 in Arizona.
The team said in a statement it was aware of the charges. "We have been in communication with the league office and are in the process of gathering more information," the Eagles said. "We have no further comment at this time."
The NFL said in a statement that Sills was placed on the Commissioners Exempt List following his indictment, meaning he may not participate in practices or games or travel with the team.
"The matter will be reviewed under the NFL's personal conduct policy," the league said.
Sills is due to have his first court appearance on Feb. 16.