Although Cierre Wood 's NFL career may have been brief, no one expected his fall from grace to be such a crash landing. In the early 2000s, Wood dominated the field, impressing scouts with his promise in the big leagues. Recruits were tracking his progress, and he had the choice to attend schools known for their successful football programs—USC, UCLA, UC Berkley, and Notre Dame.
He decided on the latter but ran into some trouble for violating team rules. Then, Wood jumped into the 2013 NFL Draft, looking for a spot on a coveted team. He went undrafted, but the Houston Texans picked him up as a free agent.
Ten months later, Wood faced disappointment when the Texans released him due to, once again, a violation of team rules. Wood would drift through several teams over the next year and a half, including the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle, and Buffalo Bills. Wood faded from football's main stage after taking a chance with two Canadian teams and hasn't been active since then.
Yet, no one expected that in 2019, he and his girlfriend, Amy Taylor , would be arrested for the murder of Taylor's five-year-old daughter, La'Rayah Davis . This case stunned the sports community, and once it began to circulate, the details turned stomachs. This month, the world learned Wood's fate for his participation in La'Rayah's brutal death: life in prison.
Wood reportedly gave an Alford plea and will be eligible for parole after ten years. This case of child abuse has some calling for stricter punishment.