‘Clear My Name’

Eagles offensive lineman Josh Sills, who last Friday was cleared of two felony charges, said Tuesday he believes the jury’s decision has cleared his name and he’s ready to get back to competing on the field.

Sills, who rejoined the team over the weekend, spoke to reporters for a few minutes after practice at the NovaCare Complex about last week’s trial that concluded with Sills acquitted on charges of rape and kidnapping a former high school classmate in 2019.

“The process that I went through has not been easy,” Sills said, per the Wilmington News Journal. “It’s been very daunting for myself. More important, for my family, I’m glad that throughout the process, I was able to clear my name.

“I’m glad that my family was able to move on from this. I’m glad that I’m able to move on from this, and I’m looking forward to the future.”

GETTY IMAGES: With his court case behind, Josh Sills returns to the Eagles to compete for an OL spot on the 53.

The NFL placed the Sills, 25, on the Commissioner’s Exempt list in February, after Sills was indicted. He was paid while on the list but wasn’t able to participate in practices or the Super Bowl.

The league placed Sills back on the Eagles’ roster after he was found not guilty, and the Eagles decided to keep him. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound lineman had surprisingly made the team last year as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State.

“Obviously we never took the charge lightly, right?” head coach Nick Sirianni said before Sunday’s open practice, the first practice for Sills since going on the Commisioner’s Exempt list. “We followed all the protocols there as far as just wanted to let the legal process play itself out.

“I think just at the end of the day, we let the legal process and the league’s decision to take him off the exempt list make our decision, right? So, my experience with Josh has been nothing but positive. He’s been a great teammate and done his job and guys love him on this team.”

Sills described the process as “very tough” and said he’d like to leave the past in the past, and look forward to tomorrow and what the future brings.

According to CNN, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement that he still believes the victim.

“But in America, criminal convictions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” the statement read. “The jury did not see it, and I thank them for doing their duty under the law.”

Sills thanked the Eagles for sticking with him, calling it “a testament to all of them, not only as teammates,” and hopes his public image is accurately reflected moving forward.

“I just like people to know that what you see is what you get,” he said. “There’s no smoke and mirrors. I am who I am. Like I said, I’m beyond appreciative to be here, and thankful to have a great organization.”

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

Listen to the latest “Inside The Birds” podcast featuring Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher:

Or watch on YouTube: