EX-NFL PLAYER SMITH SAYS INNOCENT IN DRUG CASE

DENVER - Former NFL running back Timmy Smith pleaded not guilty on
Monday to cocaine trafficking charges in U.S. District Court.

Smith, 41, who ran for a Super Bowl record 204 yards to help the
Washington Redskins beat the Denver Broncos in 1988, was arrested
September 30 along with his brother, Christopher, and charged with
selling $37,600 worth of cocaine to federal undercover agents.

At a brief hearing before U.S. Magistrate Craig Shaffer, Timmy Smith
entered a not guilty plea through his attorney to nine counts related
to alleged cocaine trafficking.

Federal prosecutors said Timmy and Christopher, 35, sold the cocaine
to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration undercover agents between
April and September.

Timmy Smith last played for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990 season. At
the time of his arrest, he was working as a security guard at a
Denver juvenile correctional facility.

Christopher Smith, who faces six counts, was also in court and
pleaded not guilty as well. Both men are free on $15,000 bail each.

As agents moved in to make the arrest at a parking lot of a
Denver-area restaurant, authorities say Timmy Smith fled in a sport
utility vehicle but was apprehended by police 20 minutes later.
Christopher Smith was arrested at the parking lot without incident.

Neither the brothers nor their lawyers would comment after the
hearing. If convicted, both men face up to 20 years in prison on each
count and $1 million in fines.

A tentative trial date has been set for January 9.