The Eagles have devoted a fifth-round pick to a running back who brings plenty of baggage to the NFL.
As explained by Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, the Eagles aren’t concerned.
Wendell Smallwood, a former West Virginia tailback, faced an allegation of witness intimidation in a second-degree murder case two years ago. His friend pleaded guilty, and the charge that Smallwood tried to convince a witness to change testimony was dropped.
Smallwood also has a history of posting social-media messages containing racial and homophobic slurs.
“I don’t believe anything I said. I’ve grown,” Smallwood told reporters after his selection, via Josh Paunil of PhillyMag.com. “I’m sorry if I offended anyone.”
“We are aware of the social media statements Smallwood made. We don’t condone them,” Eagles executive V.P. of football operations Howie Roseman said, per Shorr-Parks. “We have no doubt or concern about what kind of person Smallwood is.”
Roseman explained that the team’s research led to the conclusion that there would be no issues in the future with Smallwood. If there are, somebody is going to be saying, “I told you so.” Here’s hoping no one ever has a reason to say that about Smallwood.