Former Nebraska star and NFL running back Lawrence Phillips was found dead in his prison cell earlier this week from an alleged suicide. I use the word alleged because the prison claims it was that but his friends and family are adamant that something else is going on because he was in good spirits, despite facing the rest of his life behind bars.

@IamJoeSports

In the month leading up to his death, Phillips complained via letters to his high school football coach that the staff at Kern Valley State Prison were messing with him.

He elaborated more in his own words.

“Everyone is pointing the finger at everyone else. I surely am not receiving all my mail as well as mail I am sending is not being received. There were two letters you mentioned that I never received. This new attorney has said he is addressing the issue.”

There’s more … in the letter, Phillips implies prison staffers also broke the TV in his cell … a 1-man cell that was segregated from the general population.

“I am allowed a television or a radio. They broke my television so I am listening to the radio. I get a lot more done without the television anyway.”

Furthermore in the letter he cracks jokes and talks about college football, supporting the family thought that his mind and spirits were fine and not someone who was contemplating taking his own life. An investigation is still ongoing.

To see the letter he wrote in full, click HERE.