The Nebraska Star RB That Turned into a Cold Blooded Monster. Lawrence Phillips' Story

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[@pep2st8p64]

Nebraska was a Powerhouse once upon a time..I remember quite vividly...

[@mikeanderson9266]

Wow, really what year?

[@thuzeza]

@@mikeanderson9266 from the 70's to early 2000's

[@JDCUSA]

The years they won the National Championship with Lawrence Phillips and Tommy Frazier.

[@josmith213]

Yea they were for like 3 decades, for the most part unless you were a top recruit you went to a school near you, and they had all those big cornbread fed boys

[@WVUer21]

@@mikeanderson9266 Won two national titles in the early 70s, and three more in the mid-90s. They also had three Heisman winners: Johnny Rodgers (1972) Mike Rozier ('83) and Eric Crouch (2001).

[@jasonpdsi]

Lawrence Phillips' missed block on Aeneas Williams resulted in Steve Young's Career ending injury in 1999

[@nito209]

I was in middle school, I remember that

[@_DB.COOPER]

Blocks are missed EVERY game so what’s your point!

[@jennaebranch4293]

​@_DB.COOPER probably tryna point out He was Ill Prepared 4 Work ❗️‼️. Most Real Missed Blocks R "BIZNESS Decisions‼️❗️" or POOR PREP.

[@humanipulationnation]

I would hit hard too if my name was basically Anus

[@humanipulationnation]

30:30

[@stringfellowlocke2214]

From what I remember, Dick Vermeil talked about that situation of cutting Phillips with tears in his eyes. He wanted Phillips to turn it all around and succeed so badly.

[@hoopman82]

Yes exactly! Dick perfected the “whining bitch act”

[@elimcfather8008]

guess i’ll have to stay up another 40 mins

[@Wecantmatch1]

No cap😂😂

[@tiktokremix1084]

😂😂

[@MotocrossEditor]

Me last night but I went to sleep 😂 watching now

[@poloallthat]

Do you hear me😅

[@jctmatrix815]

😂😂😂😂

[@roesamon5213]

Lawrence Phillips was one of favorite RB from Nebraska

[@peteredwards559]

😅

[@WARS187]

He was awesome AF Him and Frazier Muhammad at wr

[@josephinetracy1485]

Do you watch OJ highlights too and marvel at them?

[@TheTyroner85]

Mann as a Nebraska native LP was the 🐐 as a running back Nebraska couldn’t be stopped

[@christiansoldier77]

He was overrated

[@christiansoldier77]

Scott Frost is the whitest name ever 😅

[@Hunter-dj9ld]

@@christiansoldier77He had all the talent in the world. If he could’ve turned his life around, he probably would’ve found success in the NFL.

[@christiansoldier77]

@@Hunter-dj9ld No he wasnt that good actually . He just ran behind that huge Cornhusker line that opened up huge holes

[@xancypillosi9497]

@@christiansoldier77they had some deep olines

[@NWJonathan]

He was made a monster from being pissed on by his step dad…. (LITERALLY) Beaten constantly by “family” & abandoned by his mother. Yeah dude wasn’t given the best chance to end up a “normal” or decent life. Wasted potential & a shitty end to what could’ve been a great career. Sucks. Love the channel Matt.

[@jamesp1289]

I was at the game where ASU beat Nebraska when they were ranked #1 in the country. That was my fondest football moment. The crowd was going WILD

[@iInspireSuccess]

Lack of motherly love turned him into this monster. He didn't know how to have relationships with woman. When they left he felt like when he ran away from home. His actions are on him. His upbringing got to him.

[@reginaldmassey3272]

My mother wasn't exactly claire huxstable but I never became violent because she was a terrible mother.

[@joshreich6797]

I actually lived in Lincoln at this time and went to Lefler middle school my assistant principal told me one day as we were waiting for class there goes Phillips I said how’s he driving a new mustang GT he explained how the booster club worked lol

[@user-mm4sn2zf3d]

Tom Osborn sold his soul for a championship. Everyone in the Nebraska program knew what Lawrence Phillips was when he was on the team.

[@tjfraire6952]

Thanks for the video, I was only a kid back then but I do remember how good he was & how much people talked about him. Thanks again & gods bless every1.

[@benjaminmeza6620]

I remember him from high school days...played against him

[@Fresh619FBA]

This guy is absolutely insane. The reason he was given so many chances is because he was so talented on the field….

[@hefner28]

Thanks Einstein

[@KingDock_]

Took me a min to realize that regarding his 1st incident with Kate&Frost .. "He dragged her down 3 flights of stairs." AND "He climbed up the outside balcony to Frosts apartment and came in the door.".... That means this beast climbed to the 3RD FLOOR BALCONY!! NOT JUST up one to the 2nd floor!! Thats crazy!!!

[@slipinslider]

Scott frost is a terrible coach, terrible friend. Bad teammate

[@smartbomb7202]

i climbed to the 4th floor of my apartment balcony drunk when i locked myself out... wasn't that difficult if you can do a few pull-ups

[@IntroducingMrLucci]

​@@smartbomb7202was thinking I did the same thing climbed the 3rd floor balcony when I was locked out my first apartment at 19 years old.

[@YoYoMaWhatItDo]

​@@smartbomb7202What a coincidence.. I climb up your buildings fire escape to the 3rd floor pretty often as well! Every time your gt spends the night but you end up passing out early from her dosing you with a bunch of Ambien in your White Claw. I do apologize for the mess I have left a time or 2.. most nights, that girl looks like she's been ran through by a demon or 2. Your lady inspires in the worst way.. 😜🥰😁

[@codyscustoms9277]

Brad banks, University of Iowa, 2002 Heisman runner-up

[@pacojuanrico7083]

Nice one

[@_DB.COOPER]

I think you could have summed all of this up in 15 minutes max.

[@kylechudy6486]

I very much agree

[@ITJustMeKG]

that's like every one of his videos though.

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@ITJustMeKG yes sir,

[@jcdova29]

I watched that championship game against Miami and Miami was a great defensive team. Miami had Warren Sapp, Ray Lewis and other future NFL players. I’m pretty sure even Bob Marley’s son was on that team. Lawrence defended earned those tough 99 yards.

[@teddyrock1740]

You are absolutely right about your analysis 👏 childhood trauma is powerful in damaging lives. This is why parenting and education are so important. An abused or damaged child may grow up to be a murderer or abuser if they are not trained to deal with their trauma, change thought process, and deal with and learn to control their anger.

[@joshuabrown2134]

Sadly Im one of those ppl and almost ended up in prison..

[@stephenjohnson1318]

These Nebraska Cornhustler teams had a bunch of goons in the 90s.

[@traynificent]

But they were winning, so you didnt care

[@stephenjohnson1318]

@@traynificentjust about every winning program has goons. All of the great coaches know how to manage them.

[@stealthbomber2127]

Goons with a 90%+ graduation rate. They were the roughest, toughest teams I ever saw and I loved them. The offense was so good they would tell the defense where the play was going and then run right over them. A lot of teams were terrified of the Huskers, and rightfully so.

[@terrencemann7322]

Hey Matt. Great channel. Love your content. Maybe do a video on former USC wide receiver Mike Williams (he like Maurice Clarett tried to enter the NFL draft before his junior season).

[@GSHIPP]

I grew up with Lawrence in Inglewood.he had a terrible childhood no father mother was on drugs the Lawrence I no was a good brother long live LP inglewoods finest . We had good times in West Covina

[@schadowolf]

You consistently provide great content, glad I found your channel awhile back. From another 256 fan.

[@ChickenBoneNews]

This was a good video. You took a lot of time putting it together and for that I appreciate you MattBeGreat. He had every opportunity and for some reason he blew every one of them. Maybe this world is just better off without him being a part of it. Thanks again for all the time you put into making it.

[@gilt8121]

Best RB we ever had at Nebraska. Terrible human being. Tragic but kid never could get out of his own way.

[@vicariousjohnson9823]

The first 6:30 is like listening to a kid with ADD that’s overdosed on Red Bull.

[@runDATrun6]

I love the fact that mattbdgreats videos always start with 3 intros

[@adamallison3685]

My dude Matt does some great work, I find it hard to believe he was an athlete because of how high he scores on the nerd chart but he is very knowledgeable so he probably was. Bro definitely has a touch of tism and he's used it to be a great content creator. One thing is definitely for sure #mattbebald 😂. Love you Matt and your content

[@dentoncoquyt5312]

There's a scroll bar bud

[@runDATrun6]

@@dentoncoquyt5312 not meant to be taken negatively pal

[@dentoncoquyt5312]

@@runDATrun6 ya that checks out

[@breakmylegs7294]

Ole Matt is Fruity for Alabama

[@chadpaulsen2953]

watched him in person. most naturally talented running back in nebraska history. just couldn't keep it together off the field. beat up his ex, threw her down the stairs. frost was indeed there, hiding in the closet. nebraska teams of the 90's had some serious off the field problems, to say the least. dominant on the field though. lawrence phillips was a tragic case of...call it what you will, bad circumstances growing up? he was from compton, CA.

[@proudpennsylvaniaman7996]

No father fkd him up

[@thomasb.smithjr.8401]

The American landscape is littered with Lawrence Phillips's : whether former professional, collegiate or prep school, they're ubiquitous. Scores of such, as George Plimpton might say. Look around your neighborhood. And quite a few of them are in bad shape. Well past their primes, addicted, broke, half mad, calling up current athletes begging them for money. If it wasn't for the salaries/tributes they sometimes glean, they'd be latter day slaves. As it is, they all live in the film Spartacus, if not The Hunger Games. Try to remember that when you watch the next team athletic contest, suitably stylized and produced for a mass audience. Rollerball '75.

[@Dreezzy88]

Im gonna watch that movie now. Never seen it always heard about it.

[@imronburgundy69]

Bro we don't live in a dystopia lol there's a reason these kinds of stories become news I can literally point out several local former collegiate/pro athletes who had minorly successful careers, who are doing MORE than fine currently

[@jasonbartunek8280]

Being from Nebraska I know Tom Osborne took a ton of heat by keeping him on the team. He did not need Lawrence we had 4 other amazing running backs but Tom knew to try to save him he kept him around. BTW Matt there is another Nebraska Running back that Tom tried to save his name was Scotty Baldwin look up his story.

[@humanipulationnation]

Not one video on YT- tell us !

[@MrBlpete]

Yea, Scotty had a crazy/sad story as well. My family knew him when I was growing up. I remember being around him in his wheelchair and he was always a nice guy from what I remember

[@HonestFreshly]

I'm from Nebraska.... This is the 1 I always wanted you to cover seriously

[@joebauers3746]

The fact that he got good grades in high school means nothing when you are a star athlete. They are often literally handed grades or have other people doing homework for them. In fact there have been many cases where it is only in college that they are found out to be legitimately illiterate.

[@Ctothebg]

Agreed!!!! I went to a community college….. another example is my community college was easier than 6th grade!! 💯 the teachers were like sweet aunts and grandmas. Kinda like a few in Last Chance U

[@peter-lb3ny]

well the sure could write well at least

[@MudWeeds14]

None of this applies to Lawrence. I went to high school with him. He was a very smart young man that worked really hard to catch up academically so he could go to college. Nothing was given to him.

[@Therealadron]

Of course you upload this video at 2:12 am right when I have to go to bed 😢

[@auggiepulllman7601]

Keep up the work Matt these videos are awesome

[@G_Vegas22]

Growing up in Omaha, those Nebraska players used to cut up in the 90s

[@leonbrooker8150]

I don't believe this was a suicide. It definitely sounds like a setup.

[@peter-lb3ny]

Maybe. Happened after he k!lled someone I recall.

[@peter-lb3ny]

Oh maybe he was let in

[@ChrisDunn-ib6bp]

I kept saying to do a video on him and here it is , I'm 53 and been a college and pro fan as long as I can remember and this is the darkest story I can remember.

[@petermcdougall1152]

Man as a husker fan, I grew up watching Phillips play. He was a beast, and it's a shame how is life ended up. Dude was let down in his early life, and then was left to his demons.

[@Fonzi89]

When Dick Vermeil gives up on you, you’ve done some bad things.

[@kentcarmack5879]

Back in those year i knew a family that were die hard Nebraska fans. They would drink beer all day and any Nebraska score they would do a shot. Every Saturday the dad and two sons were in a black out. As destructive as that was they bonded as a family to a high level

[@jimmynickelz]

Corey Moore from Virginia Tech was such a monster. No sad story tho. He was just an undersized Defensive End.

[@joshreich6797]

Thanks at #mattbegreat I’ve been waiting for this one you finally listened !!!

[@heavenlydays2838]

3am. A stigma hour of night

[@mrcamouflage]

@MattBeGreat, since you did Lawrence Phillips, you HAVE to do Tommy Frazier, if you haven't done so already 😊. But thank you for your hard work on these videos you bring us. It's a trip down memory lane for someone like me

[@peter-lb3ny]

Heard he was hated by teammates for being a dick

[@chad3452]

yep young fellaz real monsters used to get to play... lawrence taylor was a wild man he ate glass at UNC and beat cops up

[@hix7503]

really enjoying these docu series

[@DRK00000]

We all have the urges to do wrong but some of us can control it better than others Matty

[@caontop1924]

Marcus lattimore should be next !!

[@typhillips8724]

Oh yea his story would be a great story

[@caontop1924]

@@typhillips8724 💯

[@Fonzi89]

That was just sad. I remember the game when he got hurt 😢

[@HQStudioPA]

@MattBeGreat heres the comment u were looking for lol

[@LaCosaNostra419]

I was born 83 so I’m 40 . I remember LP & Tommie Frazier , Nebraska was a powerhouse back in the early 90s . They were also off the hook as far as players getting into trouble . I was away on a “ State funded vacation “ so to speak lol . And I read Faith in the Game , written by Tom Osborne he’s written a few books . He talked a lot about LP and his wild upbringing with gangs & stuff , it was a good read for sure .

[@beardahn2331]

The fact teachers, coaches and sports personnel didn't pick up on his inner issues and push him towards dealing with that is a testament of what sports was back then. They didn't really care about you as much as the ability you had. Even at the high school level. Let you skate through the semester, sleeping through class bc he's the star athlete and it matters more that he's playing than learning. It is a classic case of mother instilling in them love doesn't exist in their world. Then disappear. The child is stuck in that exact spot every morning he opens his eyes and every night he closes them. When the women would leave him, he went back to that child who knows love doesn't exist. Then he does what he never got to do to who told him that on those women who left him. It's a true tragedy because that man could ball. But one might wonder if the running was so easy for him because that's all he did his whole life. Run. Away. He certainly was a monster. But so was everyone else that rode his back. Didn't reach out with the # to a doctor. Or get him help of any sort. Just provided ways for his actions to not have consequences which only threw fuel on the fire. When you think about it. It was at no fault of his own. We all deal with the cards we were dealt but he didn't get any cards. He had to create his own. That's not a fair scale! MattBeGreat...you should look up Lyle Alzado. From Juco to the pros. Wild story.

[@mlmperez1114]

I remember watching him play at Nebraska he was a beast

[@user-oq9mv8pc2g]

As a rams fan he was a great physical specimen but his mental state was his downfall

[@johnnym4400]

The steroids really messed his head up

[@erikhulme6]

How about Titus Young? Didn't have the highs of some of these others but he was a star at Boise State and eventually went straight from the Detroit Lions to jail

[@Che77siempre]

This is sad I loved and miss LP. His life was troubled. RIP

[@statman29neb]

Excellent video! As a life long Husker fan AND Rams fan it was a difficult thing to witness. Lawrence was the most talented Nebraska running back in history, which is saying something with names like Rozier, Craig, Green, Abdullah. The molestation of Phillips and neglect by his mother forever fractured his brain in which he was incapable of making wise decisions. Not to make excuses for him, but man what a sad sad story. Well done sir. 👏

[@LitoDeniro59]

The way his mom treated him is the way he treated females

[@Heylo7]

Damn i can only wonder what the team would have been like with Phillips and Dickerson very explosive backfield....

[@Adiscretefirm]

Aren't there any blurrier screen caps you could have used? Thank goodness Coach Osborne didn't ruin his life by kicking him off the team.

[@necessarytrouble]

Good one!

[@mkj4379]

L.P. my favorite college RB of all time

[@williamanderson6006]

Says a lot about you

[@mkj4379]

@@williamanderson6006 I liked him on the field. Let's not start an Internet war.

[@williamanderson6006]

@@mkj4379 good enough he was exciting

[@shanereynolds4276]

His hate of women seems like anger towards his mom who should have loved and protected him

[@user-gz2ob9rp6r]

I remember when Oklahoma vs Nebraska was the Superbowl of college football every year. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

[@sirlance_35]

Matt, as always keep the great high quality content =) Sugestion: You need to do one video about former WR Rae Carruth

[@HumilityisaVirtue]

As a Husker, I was disgusted with the whole Phillip's situation. I was not happy with Osbourne reinstating Phillips but, like you, I understand why he (Osbourne) did it. And then he hangs himself in prison. I guess he took his anger issues out on himself. It is a tragic story. Well done video.

[@MudWeeds14]

He didn’t hang himself. He and I were high school teammates. We were exchanging mail while he was imprisoned. He was in great spirits. He DID NOT hang himself.

[@HumilityisaVirtue]

@@MudWeeds14 Please accept my apologies. My information came from a report I had read some years ago. This is still a tragic story for the young man.

[@MudWeeds14]

I appreciate your apology. Yes, it was reported that he took his own life, but this did not happen. Yes, it is a very tragic story. Lawrence was very troubled. Lawrence had many demons. Lawrence had suffered a rough childhood and I’m not trying to justify anything that he did. He made some serious mistakes and I will never try to downplay what he did. However, the Lawrence I knew was an awesome person. My family loved him. He was always respectful and was THE MOST talented person I’ve ever seen on the football field that I played with or against that wound up playing in the NFL and that number is double digits.

[@HumilityisaVirtue]

@@MudWeeds14 Thank you for your reply. I didn't have near the childhood he had, but I get it. Things go through one's mind that you just can't seem to help. If I didn't have my faith, I'd be dead right now. If you don't mind, and so I can correct others, how did he die? Take care.

[@user-pw6uv8yu1n]

@@MudWeeds14HE WAS AN AHOLE …..HE HIT WOMEN🤡

[@fourthquartersports7571]

His early childhood is nothing new in the black community, Lawrence really never stood a chance

[@jimmynickelz]

some...and some white communities as well. Hispanic too. Not so much Asian communities.

[@sageex3931]

Yep​@@jimmynickelz

[@thatguyfrom313]

Nothing new in Any Dysfunctional households Caucasian comnunities, Asians, Latin etc

[@Nurp-lp4vm]

I have a question: What the hell was Scott Frost doing while this girl was being dragged down the steps by her hair?

[@nathanvandyke9951]

If we assume he maintained those 1995 Averages through a 12 game season, these would've been his stats: 170 carries 1312 yards 22 TDs

[@jemill65]

Sad story and one of the greatest RBs ever.

[@godlikescrypto863]

I am so happy u spent 41 mins on Nebraska.........................

[@LetitGolazziter-uk9xi]

I am old enough tho have watched him play live, he was without question a MAN among boy’s on the field.

[@ElGranLibtardo]

“Culture”

[@brandonbrock79]

He was an absolute beast on the field that boy was bad

[@lee-daniels]

How no one apparently worked to get this young man a psychological evaluation.

[@checkitout7111]

Phillips should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for his first incident with Kate.

[@stephenbowles7153]

Tom Osborne appeared to believe he was next to God in Nebraska. He would have never kicked Phillips off the team. After all, there were games to be played.

[@CDubb-iu2mx]

Lawrence Phillips clearly had mental health issues. It’s a sad story

[@jobernicklopez747]

First and haven’t seen ur vids in a while ik it’ll be a good one tho

[@barbaranewton8732]

He was self medicating his childhood trauma with alcohol. He got addicted. You can't stop yourself in the grips of addiction. He could just as well been a serial killer during that childhood.

[@brockturner1559]

Good video Matt

[@MichaelChristopher-gy3hm]

you doin the big butt thing on purpose now Slime lmao

[@SEVEN-gy3ub]

Yes LP had some bad times but most turned their back on him. Cold blooded monster is a little harsh, he had a bad childhood and it created problems with women but it's not like he was a murderer out on the streets. That's where he should have separated his mom from other women though. Ray Lewis opened his mouth to Tom Osborne at the wrong time in that championship game. Scott Frost is a Scott Frost. Nobody knows what exactly happened to LP in the end and I've been puzzled for decades.

[@brianmcmillan1925]

Bear in mind that when Osborne decided Phillips was activated was before a tough game, CU. No credit to the bum Osborne.

[@gbedmonds1594]

Women who are abused tend to have so little self repect that they tend to drift back to their abusers and its a sad cycle.

[@SanjayThuraisingham]

This is what happens when a boy grows up without a proper home. No fatherly love, no motherly love. A real tragedy.

[@dansweda712]

Not sure if this is something new for this channel, but as a subscriber, it would get me back to this channel more often

[@teddyrock1740]

Let me help you, Brother, because you seem to be sincere. He suffered chemical decency, he was an Alcoholic who also had Mental health issues. Depression and PTSD from childhood trauma that was never addressed. It shouldn't be hard to understand that "Hurt people 😕 Hurt people!" At this people thought just like you and many people suffered because they were never diagnosed or treated and harmed themselves and the community.

[@dream213007]

Great story Matt

[@charlesreed1016]

That cold blooded monster wasn't born. He was made that way from birth.

[@ScottyPeabody]

You’re a tremendous creator, and nothing but huge props to you, sir. You’re funny and extremely talented. As a recovering alcoholic I’d like to at least share what I know about LP’s addiction that might help with a future story. To be fair, according to most experts, nobody chooses to be an alcoholic. I think you were just using what it seemed like he chose, but lemme be honest with you about my own alcoholism and the experience of thousands and 10s of thousands of recovery community meetings and hundreds of hours of counseling. There’s some researchers who claim they can predict alcoholism with the presence of 1 genetic marker. I’m not well versed in the science though I could add links for you, I’d rather not clutter up your comments from your large subscriber base. In the 1990’s there was still very little understanding of the drug & alcohol addiction that has led to the worst period of substance abuse in history up until that particular time. We all thought Otis, the town drunk on Andy Griffin Show was FUNNY. I’d encourage you to do more research on the subject, nobody truly chooses to drink or get high, at least the real addicts don’t. To his credit Tom Osborn actually stood up to his critics and in effect, indicated he felt like keeping LP on the team, because he was afraid he’d get high and then injured.

[@aroprime7650]

Wonder if the Rams go after Marshall Faulk before 1999 season if Phillips has a decent career?

[@42calking53]

Great thought

[@bassman8144]

Hey bro, new to the channel but I’m digging it. Did you do Rae Carruth yet? That’s a sad one.

[@mrcamouflage]

I'm going to piggyback off what @MattBeGreat said, if you have NEVER seen Lawrence Phillips play, MAN, talk about a beast on the field at Nebraska!!! Him and Tommy Frazier together?!?!? WHAT!!! You had to pick who you were going to defend and even then, neither one could be stopped!!! But it's a damn shame what happened to Lawrence Phillips. I'm not sure if there's any youtube videos of their games, but if so, PLEASE watch some so you can get an idea how good he was. I didn't realize he was in that game when Steve Young's lights were turned out for his career though. I still remember that play. I used to joke about that incident with the football game he had with the kids (I said he got mad because a kid juked him and that's why he ran them over with his car). But to read he killed his cell mate, then took his own life?!?! I still remember all this like it was yesterday, smh

[@delpl4dr]

he the reason number 1 is bad luck

[@robertmurphy6566]

He obviously filled the hole his loveless mother left inside with the women in his life. When these women wanted out he was being rejected by his mother yet again. He dealt with it the only way he knew how which was with violence. It is a shame the colleges did not see his mental health issues.

[@Peter-km7hb]

He should have been the number one overall draft pick but everyone knew he was crazy

[@noosanupu1765]

Great points Matt, definitely his childhood of being in a negative mental environment played a part in his life. And the lack of Love at his foundation. Also, considering how hard he ran and his style of running contributed to CTE issues etc. Seem like he got worst as her got older

[@user-yw1ze2qx2k]

Dat boi use run tha ball like he was mad at tha grass!!!! 💪🏾

[@ldean7845]

MATT BE BALD !!!

[@coreymathis7975]

Bro told us this story was crazy for the first 5 minutes

[@shanereynolds4276]

Sad story. The picture of the kid is his lost childhood