LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of former SMU football star Emanuel Tolbert on Wednesday on charges that he raped girls he met while working as a substitute teacher.

Tolbert, an All-American receiver in 1978, was arrested in 2000 after three girls, ages 14, 15 and 17, told authorities he had taken them to his home and had sex with them. Police said two of the girls attended Hall High School, where Tolbert was a substitute, and the third attended nearby Forest Heights Junior High.

At a trial in 2001, Tolbert was convicted of rape and first-degree violation of a minor. He was sentenced to 15 years for rape and four years on the violation charge, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The court relied heavily on two of the girls' testimony and cited Tolbert's admission to reject his claim that there was insufficient evidence. The court also said the testimony showed Tolbert's intent, motive and plan to develop a sexual relationship with his students.

In 2001, Tolbert pleaded guilty to another charge of violation of a minor. He was sentenced to 16 additional years, to be served concurrently. He was charged as a habitual offender because of his convictions from the previous case.

Tolbert played football at Little Rock Central High and then SMU, where he holds school records for most touchdowns in a season (11) and career (25). He spent 11 years in the Canadian Football League.