Raphel Jerome Cherry (born December 19, 1961) is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and the Detroit Lions. He was drafted by Washington in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Hawaii.

In 1999, Cherry was convicted of first degree murder in the death of his wife. He was initially sentenced to life imprisonment, but upon appeal of his conviction, his sentence was reduced to 30 years. Cherry became eligible for parole in 2019. He was released on parole in July 2023.

Raphel Cherry

References

1961 births

Living people

Players of American football from Little Rock, Arkansas

American football defensive backs

Washington Redskins players

Detroit Lions players

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football players

American people convicted of murder

American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment

People convicted of murder by Arkansas

Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by Arkansas

Paroled people

Raphel Cherry