During his five-year tenure with the Chicago Bears, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery made quite the impression.
Known for his circus catches and punishing defenders after receptions, Jeffery had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2013 and 2014, making one Pro Bowl and establishing himself as one of the best jump-ball WRs in the NFL.
Jeffery signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in 2017, and despite scoring 20 touchdowns over four seasons, he was never quite really the same player he was in Chicago.
Though Bears fans have fond memories of Jeffery’s time with the team, his reputation was likely tarnished some after it was revealed the 36-year-old is facing prison time for insurance fraud.
Jeffery Could Go Away for 5 Years
GettyEx-Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery is facing prison time
According to TMZ, Jeffery was arrested for alleged insurance fraud earlier this week. If convicted, his sentence could carry a maximum of five years in prison.
“Jeffery — who was also busted for conceal/fail to disclose insurance benefit or payment — was booked in jail around 8 AM on Wednesday and has since been released,” the outlet reported.
“According to California law, the insurance fraud charge is a felony and can carry up to five years in prison and/or a fine that’s double the amount of the fraud.”
Jeffery’s representation issued a public statement on Friday morning denying the allegations of the fraud and claiming the situation stemmed from a minor motor vehicle wreck earlier this year that’s been blown out of proportion.
“The underlying incident was a minor freeway fender bender, and he provided his information at the scene,” Denise White told TMZ. “These are unfounded allegations only, and Alshon has not been convicted of any offense.
“He will address this matter through the legal process, and he remains confident that the facts will demonstrate this was a misunderstanding and nothing more.”
Jeffery Had Uneven NFL Career
GettyEx-Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery is facing prison time
Taken with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft out of South Carolina, Jeffery burst onto the scene with the Bears.
Following a quiet rookie season, in which he caught just 24 passes for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns, Jeffery broke out the following year. He ranked sixth in the league in receiving yards (1,421), eighth in yards per game (88.8), and 10th in receptions (89).
Jeffery followed that up with an 85-catch, 1,133-yard, 10-TD season before posting consecutive 800-yard seasons. He parted ways with the Bears after the 2016 season.
The Gamecocks alum signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Eagles that offseason. He totaled 57 receptions, 789 yards, and 9 TDs that year, which he parlayed into a four-year, $52 million extension.
After three more seasons in Philadelphia, Jeffery was released by the Eagles and retired following the 2020 season.
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