NEW YORK -- Ray Lewis' appeal of the $250,000 fine imposed
on him by the NFL has been denied by commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
NFL spokesman Dan Masonson confirmed that Tagliabue had
dismissed the Super Bowl MVP's appeal of the fine imposed on him a
year ago after he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in a
case in which he had first been charged with murder.
The New York Times, quoting an unidentified league source,
reported Wednesday that Tagliabue had upheld the fine.
The Baltimore Ravens linebacker originally was arrested along
with two friends and charged by Atlanta police in the stabbing
deaths of two men after the January 2000 Super Bowl. Murder charges
were dropped five months later and Lewis pleaded guilty to
obstructing law enforcement officers and interfering with an
investigation.
The fine was the largest not involving a suspension ever levied
by the NFL. Lewis has paid half of it while awaiting a ruling on
his appeal.
Last season, Lewis led the Ravens to the NFL title and was the
league's top defensive player and the Super Bowl MVP.
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