Kevin Mack

Running back Kevin Mack of the Cleveland Browns was charged with aggravated trafficking in cocaine, then was released from jail and hospitalized by the NFL team for an evaluation. Mack, the Browns' second-leading rusher last season, was arrested Wednesday night after police noticed suspicious activity in his parked car.

A pair of divisive California Assembly races that each pit Democratic candidates against each other has led to the end of a nationally renowned Democratic campaign firm. The tale, first reported in Roll Call, centers on the defeat of two California Democratic incumbents last fall: Assemblywoman Betsey Butler (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblyman Michael Allen (D-Vallejo). Both were beaten by Democratic challengers. The firm “Mack|Crounse employed a staff of 13 people, and competitors estimate that the firm generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue each cycle,” writes Roll Call's Abby Livingston.

Running back Kevin Mack was charged today with aggravated drug trafficking after authorities found what they believed was cocaine in his car, a Cleveland Municipal Court clerk said. Mack, 26, the Cleveland Browns second-leading rusher last year, was freed this morning on $2,500 bond and is to appear for a preliminary hearing Friday at 9 a.m. before Judge Mabel Jasper, Deputy Clerk Kevin Mullen said. Police Cmdr. Robert Bolton said Mack was arrested Wednesday evening without incident on suspicion of possession of the drug after 11 packets of the substance, valued at $50 each, were found in his car. The charges were filed after a chemical analysis of the packets.

Fullback Kevin Mack ended his two-month retirement and signed with the Cleveland Browns. . . . Linebacker Sam Mills of the New Orleans Saints had surgery on his right knee to drain it after an infection was discovered and will not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. . . . Starting right cornerback Phillippi Sparks of the New York Giants will be sidelined for at least six weeks because of a sprained right foot. . . .

Fullback Kevin Mack ended his two-month retirement and signed with the Cleveland Browns. . . . Linebacker Sam Mills of the New Orleans Saints had surgery on his right knee to drain it after an infection was discovered and will not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. . . . Starting right cornerback Phillippi Sparks of the New York Giants will be sidelined for at least six weeks because of a sprained right foot. . . .

Ask each of the Chargers the same question this week, and it has produced the same response: "They are?" The conversation abruptly stops, the eyes search for confirmation that it is no joke, and then the voice raises in emphatic disbelief: "They are?" The Cleveland Browns are 5 1/2-point underdogs to the down-and-out Chargers for today's game in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. "They are?" linebacker Leslie O'Neal said. "What? No way. Are you serious? We're picked to win a game? OK."

Kevin Mack, the Cleveland Browns running back sentenced to six months in prison for cocaine use, was transferred from the Cuyahoga County Jail in Cleveland to the Ohio State Reformatory.

A pair of divisive California Assembly races that each pit Democratic candidates against each other has led to the end of a nationally renowned Democratic campaign firm. The tale, first reported in Roll Call, centers on the defeat of two California Democratic incumbents last fall: Assemblywoman Betsey Butler (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblyman Michael Allen (D-Vallejo). Both were beaten by Democratic challengers. The firm “Mack|Crounse employed a staff of 13 people, and competitors estimate that the firm generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue each cycle,” writes Roll Call's Abby Livingston.

Ask each of the Chargers the same question this week, and it has produced the same response: "They are?" The conversation abruptly stops, the eyes search for confirmation that it is no joke, and then the voice raises in emphatic disbelief: "They are?" The Cleveland Browns are 5 1/2-point underdogs to the down-and-out Chargers for today's game in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. "They are?" linebacker Leslie O'Neal said. "What? No way. Are you serious? We're picked to win a game? OK."

Cleveland Browns running back Kevin Mack was granted probation today, permitting his release after serving one month of a six-month prison term for using cocaine. Judge Richard J. McMonagle of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court granted Mack two-year probation, effective immediately, along with several requirements, including regular urine testing for drug abuse. "There's something I want you to know. You have one dirty urine, and I'll send you back to prison," McMonagle said.

Kevin Mack, the Cleveland Browns running back sentenced to six months in prison for cocaine use, was transferred from the Cuyahoga County Jail in Cleveland to the Ohio State Reformatory.

Browns running back Kevin Mack was sentenced to six months in prison today after pleading guilty to using cocaine, said Cuyahoga County Asst. Prosecutor Frank Gasper. Mack, 26, was arrested June 28 in a car parked on a Cleveland street. Police said they found 11 packets of cocaine valued at $50 each inside the car. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard McMonagle sentenced Mack to six months in the Mansfield Reformatory, a facility for first-time offenders under 30, Gasper said.

Fullback Kevin Mack of the Cleveland Browns was suspended for 30 days for violating the National Football League drug policy, Commissioner Pete Rozelle announced Thursday. Mack was charged with drug abuse, sale and aggravated drug trafficking after Cleveland police found 11 $50 bags of crack cocaine in his car last June. After reaching a plea bargain, Mack pleaded guilty to one count of drug abuse Wednesday.