It takes a lot to shock me; this story reported by Sportsfanlive.com is a shocking and a bit disturbing.

Tony Washington is an offensive tackle from a Division II Abilene Christian college.  He had a strong combine performance that had people thinking he might get drafted as early as the 2^nd round.

Now news is breaking that he is a register sex offender.  If that wasn’t disturbing enough of a crime, the offense was having what he says was consensual sex with his 15 year biological sister.  Washington was 16 at the time.

Washington decided to speak with SportsFanLive.com and here is what he had to say:

“I made a mistake at the age of 16, and for that, I am deeply sorry,” Washington said. “I will not try and excuse or justify anything. I have worked extremely hard to do everything right so that I might have an opportunity to give back. I only hope that someone in the NFL will give me the same opportunity that Abilene Christian and Trinity Valley gave me.”

In May 2003, Washington was convicted of having sex with a relative that multiple NFL and college sources say was his 15-year old biological sister. The act was consensual, according to his college coaches and two NFL scouts, who spoke to him about the incident. The sister does not wish to speak publicly on the case, according to Washington’s agent, who added that the siblings are now on good terms and talk often. Washington received five years probation and did not serve jail time.

At the combine Washington spoke at length about the incident, so the NFL is aware of the situation.  How that will affect his draft status is unknown.

Honestly and I all for second chances I don’t know if I would feel comfortable drafting him.  Even though according to his coaches, family, friends and the police he has been a model citizen since the incident happened seven years ago.

Some red flags are hard to overlook and add in the fact he has already been divorced it makes you wonder how he will be able to handle the pressure of the NFL with a “sex offender” tag label to him?

I definitely will be following to see where he gets drafted and how the story plays out.

*Update*

Some asked since the sex was “consensual” and they were both minors why was Washington charged with a crime?  The thinking being while the act maybe immoral that it shouldn’t be criminal.

Here is the Texas Law that should clear it up:

Sec. 25.02. PROHIBITED SEXUAL CONDUCT. (a) An individual commits an offense if he engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with a person he knows to be, without regard to legitimacy:

(1) his ancestor or descendant by blood or adoption;
(2) his stepchild or stepparent, while the marriage creating that relationship exists;
(3) his parent’s brother or sister of the whole or half blood;
(4) his brother or sister of the whole or half blood or by adoption; or
(5) the children of his brother or sister of the whole or half blood or by adoption.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Deviate sexual intercourse” means any contact between the genitals of one person and the mouth or anus of another person with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
(2) “Sexual intercourse” means any penetration of the female sex organ by the male sex organ.
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.

So the reason he was charged was in Texas sleeping with your biological or adopted brother/sister is against the law regardless of age.