Johnny Jolly pleaded guilty to felony drug charge

Suspended Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly has pleaded guilty to felony possession of narcotics today and hopefully has been set on a path to getting his life and career back on track.

Jolly was able to avoid a jail sentence, according to Brian Rogers of the Houston Chronicle, as he has been placed on probation for five years. He’ll start with a 90-day stay in a drug treatment center.

Jolly pleaded guilty to a 2008 charge of possession of codeine, used in purple drank. He was arrested in March and charged with possession of codeine again but that charge was dismissed in court. If Jolly has his probation revoked, he can be sent to prison for 20 years.

According to the report, he was fined $500 and ordered to perform 240 hours of community service. He also has been permitted from drinking alcohol or frequenting bars or clubs for the next five years. The judge also banned him from associating with a half-brother and two cousins who were also tied into drug allegations.

Jolly remains property of the Packers. It remains to see what his status will be when the lockout ends and player movement begins. He was suspended from the NFL for a year by commissioner Roger Goodell and has yet to seek reinstatement.

Jolly will enter the rehabilitation center run by former NBA star John Lucas on Monday.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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