Darren Sharper Pleads "Guilty" To Sexual Assault Charges

It is being reported that former NFL All-Pro and New Orleans Saint Safety Darren Sharper has pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges in Arizona.  Sharper reportedly accepted changed his plea in Phoenix via video-conference from Los Angeles, where he was also scheduled to enter a new deal in person in an LA court.

Upon accepting the deal Sharper was sentenced to 9 years in prison, along with a lifetime probation. The deal is reported to be a "global resolution" that will cover all of Sharper's current sexual assault cases across four states.

Sharper was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting women in Arizona, and also faced charges in California, Nevada, and Louisiana. The sexual assault charges against Sharper occurred after his retirement from active NFL play. Sharper was drafted in 1997 by the Green Bay Packers and played 8 seasons in Green Bay before signing with the Vikings in 2005, then finishing out his career in New Orleans in 2009 and 2010.  Sharper finished with 742 career tackles, 7.5 career sacks, 9  forced fumbles, and 63 interceptions (returning 11 of them for touchdowns, including 3 in the 2009 Superbowl season).

While I'll never forget what Sharper the player did for the Saints, I'll also never forget what Sharper the person did to those ladies.  Remember kids, just because they're famous, doesn't mean they're heroes.