Former Eagles RB Sentenced to Prison for COVID Fraud Scheme — Exploited Names of Many Philly Stars

Saturday, September 20, 2025

From a celebrated Super Bowl champion to a convicted felon behind bars, the journey of Wendell Smallwood has left Philadelphia Eagles fans reeling. The former running back, a key part of the Eagles’ historic Super Bowl LII victory in 2017, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax fraud tied to COVID-19 relief programs. In a shocking betrayal, Smallwood exploited the identities of at least 13 individuals, including revered Eagles veterans like Lane Johnson (star offensive tackle), Dallas Goedert (dynamic tight end), and Brandon Graham (veteran defensive end), to submit fraudulent applications, tarnishing the team’s legacy and the trust of his former teammates. The 31-year-old was also ordered to pay $645,000 in restitution following the sentencing this week.

Smallwood pleaded guilty to the charges in December last year, marking a disheartening turn for a player once adored at Lincoln Financial Field. Prosecutors revealed that Smallwood submitted fraudulent tax returns and applications for pandemic relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. In total, he misappropriated over $500,000 in relief funds between 2020 and 2021, in addition to defrauding the IRS of $110,000 through false tax filings.

To execute his schemes, Smallwood used defunct or newly registered businesses, providing false information about their start dates, revenue, expenses, and employee counts. Some businesses were registered under his name, while others were under the names of others. In one scheme, Smallwood applied for EIDL loans for three businesses in his name, securing approvals from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for over $46,000.

In a separate scheme, Smallwood submitted fraudulent PPP applications under the names of at least 13 individuals, including Eagles stalwarts like Lane Johnson, Dallas Goedert, and Brandon Graham,... whose identities were exploited to conceal his actions. Prosecutors stated that a bank disbursed nearly $270,000 for these applications, with Smallwood receiving illicit kickbacks for preparing and submitting the fraudulent forms.

Drafted by the Eagles out of West Virginia University in the 2016 NFL Draft, Smallwood played three seasons in Philadelphia, contributing to the unforgettable Super Bowl LII triumph—a moment etched in the hearts of Eagles fans. After his time in Philly, he had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders. However, these criminal actions have cast a shadow over the legacy of a player who once brought pride to the city.

For the Eagles’ passionate fanbase, this saga serves as a painful reminder of the importance of integrity, both on and off the field. As the team charges forward with stars like Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and a talented roster under the leadership of head coach Nick Sirianni, fans remain steadfast in their commitment to the core values of “Fly Eagles Fly.” While we hope Smallwood learns from his mistakes, the focus now shifts to the bright future of the team at Lincoln Financial Field.