Ex-NFL Lineman Luis Sharpe Sentenced For Drug Offense

Phoenix, AZ (AHN) - Former NFL lineman Luis Sharpe was sentenced Friday to more than six years in prison for drug offenses.

The 47-year-old Sharpe, who played for the St. Louis and Arizona Cardinals from 1982-94, was meted a six-year prison term and four year's of probation for a series of drug offenses. The three-time Pro Bowler was arrested in February after police pulled him over for speeding and later discovered crack cocaine in his vehicle. Last month, Sharpe, pleaded guilty to the February arrest including previous separate arrests for possession of crack cocaine in July and November of 2007.

In his pre-sentence report, Sharpe said that using cocaine was "the worst mistake I ever made." The player acknowledged he first used cocaine when he was a 21-year-old NFL rookie. The Maricopa County Superior Court handed the six years sentence for two of the charges to be served concurrently while placing the player in probation for four years for the other two charges.

In 2004, the 13-year NFL veteran was also sentenced to two and a half years on drug charges. He has also served several months in prison for a drug conviction in 2000.