Former Eagle Irving Fryar convicted in N.J. mortgage scam

Ex NFL wideout faces up to 10 years in prison

Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Irving Fryar sits in court Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in Mount Holly, N.J., waiting for jury selection to begin in his and his mother's trial on charges of conspiracy and theft by deception.
Clem Murray/AP

Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Irving Fryar has been found guilty for his involvement in a mortgage scam in New Jersey and could now face up to 10 years in prison.

Fryar, 52, was on trial for his role in a scam to apply for multiple mortgages in a short period of time while using the same property as collateral for each application, the Associated Press Reports.

During the trial, Fryar's defense was that he had been used by a "con artist," William Barksdale, who told him to carry out the scheme. Barksdale pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge last year and served as the government's key witness in the trial.

Fryar's mother was also convicted in the scheme. Neither one of them testified in court and they are due for sentencing October 2.

Fryar played college football at the University of Nebraska before he was drafted by the New England Patriots as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1984 draft. Among stints with other teams, Fryar played for the Eagles from 1996-1998.