MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Derrick Washington vividly remembers the darkest point in his life.
His college football career was on life-support and his reputation was in a far worse condition as he endured a four-month prison stint.
Washington was a standout running back at the University of Missouri who had more than 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns during three years at the then-Big 12 Conference school. He was an all-conference selection in 2008 and earned team-captain status following his junior season.
Those accomplishments meant absolutely nothing the day he was accused of a sexual offense against a former Missouri tutor in 2010, a felony deviate sexual assault charge he would later be convicted of in 2011. Washington would be released from scholarship and kicked out school just weeks prior to the start of what was supposed to be his final season with the Tigers.
"It was a real stressful situation," said Washington, who finished his career at Tuskegee and will suit up for the Stars team in Saturday's Raycom All-Star Classic at Cramton Bowl. "From being the starting running back to captain of the team to being at home not knowing what's going to happen next to going through the court stuff – it was real stressful."
Washington, who was 21 at the time, was sentenced to five years in prison. He would serve only 120 days as part of a "shock incarceration" program specially designed for first-time offenders.
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