Former Philadelphia Eagle Freddie Mitchell Pleads Guilty To Tax Fraud

There's only one thing scarier than dropping a game-winning pass or getting blown up by linebackers...facing off against the IRS. 

Freddie Mitchell, the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver is facing up to 10 years in federal prison for his role in an tax scheme along with two co-defendants, according to Forbes. Mitchell, 34, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to file a false claim in Orlando, Fla.  In addition to the jail time, Mitchell also faces a fine of up to $250,000. 

According to prosecutors, Mitchell used false information to file tax returns for a professional athlete known only by the initials of "A.G." Mitchell allegedly contacted A.G, claiming that his co-defendents, Richard Walls and Jamie Russ-Walls got him a $1 million tax refund and said he could do the same for A.G.  The athlete paid Mitchell $100,000 to have his taxes prepared, but backed out of the deal before the taxes were filed.

But that didn't stop Mitchell and company.

Mitchell and his co-defendants filed A.G.'s taxes anyway, and received refunds of almost $2 million. Mitchell kept $280,000 for himself with the rest going into the Walls' bank accounts.

Walls and Russ-Walls have already pled guilty. Walls received three years in prison, but Russ-Walls was only given probation.

Freddie Mitchell only played 4 years in the NFL, but what he lacked in longevity, he nearly made up for in flash. In 2001, he was drafted by the Eagles in the first round out of UCLA. His career stats include catching 90 passes for 5 touchdowns and 1,263 yards.  He was best known for his amazing 4th & 26 catch against the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. Known for flashy nicknames such as FredEx and the Sultan of the Slot, Mitchell was cut following the 2004 season. The Chiefs signed him prior to training camp that year, but cut him after he refused to have arthroscopic surgery on his knee.