Ray Lewis Fined $250,000 by NFL

NEW YORK (AP) _ Ray Lewis was fined $250,000 by the NFL Thursday for obstructing an Atlanta police investigation of a double murder after the Super Bowl.

The fine is believed to be the largest ever levied against a player by the NFL.

In addition, commissioner Paul Tagliabue ruled that Lewis will be fined an another $250,000 and be subject to suspension if he violates any of the terms of his 12-month probation for a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing justice.

Lewis, the Baltimore Ravens' All-Pro middle linebacker, was originally accused with two others of murder in the stabbing deaths of two men following a post-Super Bowl party last January. He interrupted the trial to plead guilty to the misdemeanor and agreed to testify against his co-defendants.

The two co-defendants were subsequently acquitted.

Tagliabue noted in levying the fine that Lewis' reputation had suffered and he had paid substantial legal fees

But the commissioner said that by not telling police the full story, Lewis ``fueled a public perception that he had something to hide.''

``In doing so,'' Tagliabue added, ``he put his own livelihood and reputation needlessly at risk and he caused great harm to other NFL players and to the league.''

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