Super Bowl Champion Receives Sentencing After Animal Cruelty Charges

Former NFL defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs has been convicted on two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and recently received his sentencing.

Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joanne Jannik sentenced Buggs on July 19 to 60 days and one year of hard labor. The rest of his sentence would be suspended for two years "pending the behavior of the defendant."

The judge also ruled Buggs is not allowed to own dogs or cats or to possess or be around firearms.

The 27-year-old defensive tackle spent the end of the 2023–24 NFL season on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. He didn't appear in a game for the Chiefs.

Before signing with the Kansas City practice squad last year, Buggs played 10 games for the Detroit Lions. He started 13 contests for the Lions in 2022.

The Chiefs released Buggs from their 90-man roster on June 24, which was eight days after his second arrest this year. He was arrested on a charge of domestic violence/burglary. Buggs was then released on a $5,000 bond, according to Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office records.

Buggs began his NFL career as a sixth-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019. He spent three years with the Steelers before joining the Lions.

In 56 NFL games, he recorded 89 combined tackles, including 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.