Stevens sentenced
Tampa Bay Buccaneer tight end Jerramy Stevens was sentenced Tuesday to 30 days in jail and more than $3,100 in fines for his March arrest in Scottsdale, Ariz., on charges of drunken driving and traffic violations, a prosecutor said.
Scottsdale Judge B. Monte Morgan also ruled that Stevens won’t have to serve 18 of those days as long as he completes an alcohol program, Scottsdale City Prosecutor Caron Close said.
Stevens’ attorney, James Nesci, appealed the sentence to Maricopa County Superior Court, meaning Stevens won’t serve time until that body decides on the case.
Police arrested Stevens, a former Seattle Seahawks top pick and a native of Olympia, Wash., after stopping his car in downtown Scottsdale in March. Police said Stevens smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and that his speech was slurred.
Stevens’ blood-alcohol level was measured at .20 percent when he was arrested. Arizona’s legal limit is 0.08 percent, and the threshold for “extreme” DUI is 0.15 percent or higher.
He was found guilty of drunken driving last month.
League launches program
Step One in the NFL’s new anti-steroid program: Separate the boys from the girls.
In an attempt to stem the use of steroids among high school athletes, the league launched a $1.2 million education program. Working through eight NFL teams, the program is expected to reach 20,000 students in 40 high schools during this school year.
“Everybody wants to gain their edge and be the best and do whatever it takes to win,” said Washington Redskins safety Pierson Prioleau, who answered questions from students during the official launch at the team’s stadium. “This program is going to show them that there are positive ways to win.”
The effort is actually two programs: ATLAS for boys and ATHENA for girls. In addition to steroids, ATLAS focuses on alcohol, supplements and illegal drugs, while ATHENA has an emphasis on eating disorders and body-shaping drug use.
“They have different reasons for using substances,” said Dr. Linn Goldberg, co-creator of the programs at the Oregon Health & Science University.
Participating teams are the Redskins, Chiefs, Dolphins, Rams, Chargers, Seahawks, Titans and 49ers.
Around the league
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and nose tackle Casey Hampton, forced out of the Arizona game with injuries, are expected to play Sunday against Seattle. The Steelers aren’t as certain about four-time Pro Bowl receiver Hines Ward, who missed only his fourth game in 10 seasons Sunday because of a sprained knee. He will begin the practice work week today listed as day to day. … The New York Giants signed defensive end Dave Tollefson and placed fullback Robert Douglas on injured reserve. Tollefson was on the Oakland Raiders practice squad. He has no NFL regular-season experience. … New York Jets linebacker Cody Spencer was placed on the reserve-non-football illness list, ending his season. The Jets do not discuss injuries or illnesses. … The Cincinnati Bengals placed linebacker Lemar Marshall on injured reserve, a day after he tore the Achilles tendon in his left leg during a 34-13 loss to New England. The Bengals replaced him by claiming linebacker Corey Mays off waivers from New England. … Michael Vick’s lawyers will make their first Surry County, Va. court appearance today for state dogfighting charges against the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback. Vick, already scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10 on a federal dogfighting charge, is not expected to attend the Circuit Court hearing, prosecutor Gerald G. Poindexter said. … The Denver Broncos released returner/receiver Domenik Hixon and re-signed wide receiver Brian Clark, who was waived Saturday. Hixon became well known following his collision as a ball carrier with Buffalo’s Kevin Everett in the season opener that left the Bills tight end with a spinal-cord injury. … The Atlanta Falcons switched long snappers, releasing Boone Stutz and signing veteran Mike Schneck, who was a 2005 Pro Bowl pick with the Buffalo Bills.