By [DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER](/profile-182/daniel-matthews.html)[](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=_DanMatthews_&tw_p=followbutton)
Published: 18:58 BST, 8 May 2026 | Updated: 18:58 BST, 8 May 2026
Ex-NFL player Rufus French has been sentenced to more than 16 years behind bars over his role in Medicare fraud worth nearly $200million.
The 48-year-old tight end - who spent time with the Seahawks and Packers - must also pay nearly $111m in restitution and forfeit around $17m that the government 'seized from bank accounts and other assets.'
'Fueled by lies, bribes, and overseas telemarketers, this corrupt scheme preyed on senior citizens and disabled veterans to flood the country with unnecessary medical devices - and then billed the taxpayer for it,' said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division.
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