posted on Jun, 15 2004 @ 06:17 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Washington Redskins tackle George Starke pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug charges Tuesday and agreed to enter a
rehabilitation program.
District of Columbia police stopped Starke in Northeast Washington on May 14 when an officer noticed he was not wearing his seat belt, according to
charging documents. He was also charged with driving on a suspended license, and a search of the car revealed seven grams of coc aine,
prosecutors said.
Starke denied the allegations, saying the car was taken from the motor pool of the Excel Institute Automotive Program, a trade school he runs for
troubled teens.
His attorney said Tuesday that Starke entered the guilty plea to save himself the time and expense of a trial.
Superior Court Judge Zinora Mitchell-Rankin agreed to withhold sentencing until after Starke completes the rehab program. If he successfully completes
the program, the charges will be dropped. If not, he could get up to six months in jail, Mitchell-Rankin said.
Starke, 58, played left tackle for the Redskins from 1973-84 and was the early leader of the Hogs, offensive line, who became NFL celebrities when the
Redskins won the Super Bowl in 1983.