Over the years NFL players have been charged with crimes and misdemeanors ranging from domestic abuse to illegal possession of narcotics to driving under the influence.
Insider trading might be a new one.
However, that's what (former) Cleveland Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks is charged with by federal prosecutors after making nearly $1.2 million in illegal profits on four major investments between 2013-15 when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Later Tuesday, the Browns cut Kendricks.
Kendricks and co-defendant Damilare Sonoiki, a 27-year-old former Goldman Sachs analyst and most recently a writer on the ABC-TV show "Black-ish," are expected to plead guilty in the coming weeks.
"I sincerely apologize to my coaches, the owners, and my teammates on the Eagles and the Browns, the NFL, and the magnificent fans to whom I owe my career," Kendricks said in a statement. "I also apologize to my family, who I have failed in this. You all deserve better, and I will work my hardest to re-earn your trust and respect, serve as an advocate to educate others, and show you that I will never be involved in anything like this again."
According to Philly.com, prosecutors allege Kendricks exchanged cash bribes — Eagles tickets, invitations to nightclub promotions, and to the set of a music video featuring pop star Teyana Taylor — for inside financial information on four companies eventually acquired in deals that sent their stock prices soaring.
"When individuals engage in insider trading … it undermines the public's faith in our markets and harms ordinary investors that do play by the rules," U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain said at a news conference Wednesday in Philadelphia. "Mr. Sonoiki and Mr. Kendricks were definitely not playing by the rules."
Kendricks, 27, helped the Eagles to the franchise's first Super Bowl championship last February but was released with a year remaining on his contract. He signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with Cleveland in June. He is currently listed as the second-team strong side linebacker behind starter Jamie Collins.
However, Kendricks' immediate playing future is very much in doubt. McSwain said both men could face "substantial prison time" if convicted.
Before releasing him, the Browns announced that he wouldn't travel with the team to Detroit for Thursday night's preseason finale. The Browns open their regular season against the Steelers on Sept. 9.
By releasing Kendricks before Sunday's final cut-down day, the Browns owe him only his $500,000 signing bonus.
The Browns, who went 0-16 last season, are featured in this season's "Hard Knocks" on HBO and in the first episode Kendricks was shown telling his new teammates that the talent they had in Cleveland's linebackers room was greater than that of Philadelphia last season.
Perhaps Kendricks should have just taken the financial advice of Browns defensive end Carl Nassib ... or maybe not: