Ex-Cardinals running back Chris Wells was the target of two men facing federal extortion charges, Cleveland.com reported.
Per the report and court filings, Wells had threats against his life and financial demands made by two men who lost money to a Mexican drug dealer they met through Wells’ brother. Both were charged last June.
Court papers list one of the men, Franklin Conley, as someone Wells has known since he was a child in Akron, Ohio. The other man, Patrick Griffin, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act extortion. The report said Wells, who was not listed by name in the court filings, indicated that he knew both men “were drug dealers and have violent reputations.” In calls that started in Feb. 2015, they allegedly demanded between $65,000 and $175,000.
The Cardinals drafted Wells in the first round in 2009 out of Ohio State. He played in 51 games, starting 23, over four seasons and ran for 24 career touchdowns.
Wells suffered a torn Achilles tendon while working out for the Ravens in 2013, an injury that ended his football career. He’s working as a radio host in Columbus.
