MARTIN IN FEDERAL COURT

MIAMI - Eight days after playing in the Super Bowl, Atlanta
Falcons receiver Tony Martin was charged in federal court Monday with
money laundering and conspiracy stemming from his longtime friendship
with a drug dealer.

Martin, the Falcons' leading receiver, was brought to court in
manacles and released on $250,000 bond. He will be arragined Feb. 16.

The charges stem from his relationship with Rickey Brownlee, a
convicted drug dealer known as "the mayor of Opa-locka." The two met
some 15 years ago while Martin, now 33, was a student at Miami
Northwestern High School.

Martin's lead attorney, Roy Black, released a statement saying the
receiver "vigorously denies the allegation. Tony never intended to
commit any crime. He will aggresively litigate this case in federal
court.

Johnnie Cochran, who represented O.J. Simpson at his murder trial,
will serve on Martin's defense team.

Martin had been under investigation for months. But his name just
appeared Monday on the third superseding indictment in the case, which
also involves cocaine and heroin trafficking.

Martin is not accused of involvement in Brownlee's drug business.
Prosecutors said he wrote checks to lease luxary cars and pay legal
fees for his friend because Brownlee's lawyers wouldn't take cash.

Falcons coach Dan Reeves had no comment on the case, according to team
spokesman, Charlie Taylor. Martin caught five passes in the Falcons'
34-19 loss to Denver in the NFL title game on Jan. 31.