Former SF 49ers DT Dana Stubblefield gets 15 years to life for rape conviction

MORGAN HILL, Calif. — Former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for rape, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office said Thursday.

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Stubblefield, 49, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who played 11 seasons in the NFL -- including seven seasons with the 49ers -- was convicted of raping a 31-year-old developmentally disabled woman at his home on April 9, 2015, SFGate reported.

In July, a Santa Clara County jury found Stubblefield guilty of rape by force, oral copulation by force and false imprisonment and acquitted him of raping a person incapable of giving consent, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Jurors also determined that Stubblefield used a gun during the assault, according to Santa Clara County prosecutors.

“He took advantage of her, he preyed on her, he thought because of her disability and the fact that they were alone that she wouldn’t report it and that she wouldn’t be able to testify in court, but the jury felt otherwise,” Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Tim McInery said.

>> Former San Francisco 49ers DT Dana Stubblefield convicted of rape

Stubblefield’s attorneys had labeled the charges “absolutely ridiculous” and said the accusations were motivated by money, KNTV reported. Stubblefield will have 60 days to appeal the sentence, the television station reported.

“We’re very confident that if the jury had the correct information, they would have (come) to a different conclusion,” attorney Allen Sawyer told TMZ.

Stubblefield, a first-round pick of the 49ers' in 1993, had 10.5 sacks and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, KNTV reported. He was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, with a career-high 15 sacks in 1997. He also played with the Washington Redskins and returned to the 49ers before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2003.

Cox Media Group