Ravens’ Lewis sentenced to four months in prison

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005 | 9:17 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

In the summer of 2000, Jamal Lewis signed a $35 million NFL contract and was ready to leave behind his days hanging out in a crime-ridden Atlanta housing project.

But with the brightest imaginable future awaiting him, Lewis could not shake off his past. It caught up to the football star Wednesday, when he was sentenced to four months in prison for trying to help a friend set up a drug deal.

He hopes to begin serving his sentence Feb. 4 so he can be free when the Baltimore Ravens begin training camp in early August. Following his stint in prison, the all-pro running back must serve two months in an Atlanta halfway house that, his lawyers hope, will allow him to work out in a gym during the day and spend the nights in custody.

"I'm truly sorry for what I did," Lewis told U.S. District Court Judge Orinda Evans before she imposed the sentence.

After pleading guilty in October to one count of using a cellphone to set up a drug deal, Lewis served a two-game suspension and was fined for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The punishment cost him $761,000, his salary for two games.

Cowher, no doubt aware his team is being dismissed again for its inability to win a big game, said these Steelers set a high standard for his future teams with their unselfishness and ability to overcome adversity.

"Please do not allow the one game to define this season," Cowher said. "To finish 16-2, 15-1 in the regular season, and win 15 straight games is quite an achievement."

The Steelers manhandled Super Bowl finalists New England and Philadelphia on consecutive weekends during the season, but became only the second NFL team to go 15-1 and not reach the Super Bowl, joining the 1998 Vikings.

The 64-year-old Tollner replaces Sherman Lewis, who retired after the 2004 regular season.

Tollner was offensive coordinator for San Francisco last year and quarterbacks coach for the 49ers from 2002-2003.

The Steelers now have eight players in the Feb. 13 game in Honolulu, their most since they had 10 during the 1979 season.

This is the third consecutive selection for Surtain, who tied for the team lead with four interceptions, and helped lead the AFC's No. 1 pass defense.