MANLEY GETS 2 YEARS FOR THIRD DRUG CONVICTION

Former National Football League standout Dexter Manley was sentenced
Thursday to two years in jail, the maximum sentence possible, for his
latest drug-related conviction.

Judge Elsa Alcala told Manley he needed drug-rehabilitation treatment, but
also needed to be punished.

Manley agreed.

"He told the judge he needed drug treatment," said Jonathan Munier,
Manley's attorney.

The former Washington Redskins star is housed in the medical health unit at
the Harris County Jail awaiting transfer to the state jail, Munier said. In
addition to needing treatment for depression and drug use, Manley has been
diagnosed with bipolar disorder and takes medication to control it, Munier
said.

A jury March 20 convicted Manley of possession of less than one gram of
cocaine. Manley failed to appear for an appointment with a probation
officer March 21, so a warrant was issued for his arrest. Harris County
sheriff's deputies arrested Manley at Riverside General Hospital about 9:30
a.m. Monday.

Manley was originally arrested Jan. 10, 2001, when Houston narcotics
officers serving a search warrant at a hotel saw him leaving the room they
planned to search. The arresting officers reported that Manley tried to
swallow a small amount of cocaine as they detained him.

Manley, who has served prison time for two drug-related convictions, grew
up in Houston and played football at Yates High School.

He attended Oklahoma State University before joining the Washington
Redskins, where he helped the team win two Super Bowls. In 1989, the NFL
suspended him for testing positive for cocaine.

He retired in 1991 after failing another drug test.