REPORT: LETT FAILS DRUG TEST

DALLAS, April 16 (UPI) _ The New York Times is reporting that Dallas
Cowboys defensive tackle Leon Lett has failed a drug test for the
third time and may face a lifetime suspension from the National
Football league.

The Times quotes Cowboys sources who say Lett has filed an appeal that
is being reviewed by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Lett could not be reached for comment on the report and the Cowboys
can make no official comment on any player in the NFL substance abuse
program.

The Dallas Morning News quoted team owner Jerry Jones as saying, ``The
entire program is based on confidentiality. We're not in a position to
make any comment nor would we want to. No one from the New York Times
has called and asked me or anyone in the organization questions about
this.''

Lett was suspended by the NFL for four games in the 1995 season, then
missed the last three games of the 1996 season and the first 13 games
of 1997 because of failed drug tests. He has been in the program since
1995.

The Times report indicates Lett will likely use the same appeal
process he used before his second suspension, when he cahhelned the
validity of the test collecting and processing arrangements.

Lett loses his appeal, the two-time Pro Bowl tackle could be suspended
for all of the 1999 season or possibly permanently banned from the NFL
because he is in the third stage of the anti-drug program.

The Times report did not say what drug was involved.

Coach Chan Gailey said late Thursday night he knew nothing about Lett
failing a drug test.

The Times also quotes an unidentified team official as saying this
latest developments has stirred a wave of emotions, both positive and
negative.

``This is terrible news,'' the official said. ``We all thought Leon
was straightening out his life.''

Both of Lett's agents told the Morning News they had not heard about
the latest development as of late Thursday night and said they would
be shocked if it were true.

One of them, Michael Claiborne, said his client has been tested an
average of ten times a month for the past four years.