Oakland raiders linebacker Rolando McClain sentenced to 180 days in prison

Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain has been found guilty of assault, reckless endangerment, menacing and wrongful discharge of a firearm. He has been sentenced to 180 days in prison.

The sentence relates to an altercation McClain had with Rishard Tapscott. The two are apparently friends, and had a falling out during a basketball game, where McClain made threats that he would be “coming after him” according to a Rotoworld report.

Later on, the Raiders linebacker pointed a gun at his head, threatened to kill him, and fired a shot past his ear, according to the Washington Post.

When he does get out, it’s almost a certainty that the NFL will suspend him for violating the player conduct code. Given the serious nature of the crime, it’s likely to be a severe suspension of at least 6 games, possibly more.

McClain was taken eighth overall in the 2010 draft, and was considered at the time as being the first ‘normal’ first-round pick by Oakland in many years, as they had harboured a reputation for questionable draft strategies under the late Al Davis.

Coming into the NFL, McClain was a highly-touted linebacker prospect, having had a standout career at the University of Alabama. He inked a 5-year deal worth $40 million with the Black and Silver.

The next man up would be Travis Goethel to play middle linebacker for the Raiders, who was also taken in the 2010 NFL draft – only in the sixth round.

It would not be surprising for the Raiders to sign more linebacking help before training camp as they evaluate the situation, especially as McClain could be suspended for a large chunk of the season.