A former NFL player was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in state prison for repeatedly raping a 12-year-old girl in Spring Valley.

Rockland County District Attorney Tom Zugibe says the accused, John Harvey, decided to plead guilty in the middle of the trial.

The victim?s family members hope Harvey never gets out. They say they knew the former football player for over 11 years and trusted him.

?I can say rest in peace John Harvey because he's a dead man, he's finished,? says one of the girl?s relatives.

In 1990, Harvey had a promising career as a running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In recent years, he has been working at an electronics store in Ramsey, N.J., until he was arrested last October.

The victim?s family had a chance to address Harvey inside the courtroom. One of the girl?s relatives told him she is relying on the other inmates in state penitentiary to find out what he did, adding that "they'll do the right thing."

Harvey is currently being held at the Rockland County Jail, waiting to be transported to state prison. When he regains his freedom, he will be required to register as a Level 3 sex offender.