Jerry Jones Says Lett Suspension A Surprise

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer (Dec. 5, 1996)

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Another day, another circus at Valley Ranch, world headquarters of the sinful but successful Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys have won three Super Bowls in the last four years but also lead the NFL in another category - they own six of the last 13 NFL drug suspensions.

Owner Jerry Jones broke his silence Wednesday to put his spin on the latest scandal to tarnish the Cowboys' star, Leon Lett's one-year suspension for a second violation of the NFL's drug policy.

Jones said he heard speculation two weeks ago but had no idea what was happening.

"My first knowledge of it was a minute before it went out over the AP wire," Jones said. "I was disappointed and was concerned for Leon. It was a surprise.

"Leon had been in a most comprehensive program with the best doctors. Over the last 13 or 14 months he had been exemplary. I was dismayed at all the speculation. Now, I know."

Jones said he was "most concerned" about yet another scandal to hit the club. Michael Irvin missed the first five games of the season because of a drug bust at motel room that caught the wide receiver.

"This is a reflection (on the team) because one incident is one too many," Jones said. "We can do better and we want to do better and we'll stop at nothing to get better.

"There is not a sense that this is a team-wide thing. It's still up to individual choices, and adults can make mistakes."

Jones said the Cowboys would welcome Lett back once he gets straightened out.

"I want do do anything I can to be supportive and make sure Leon can play again for the Cowboys," Jones said. "As an individual, I think the world of him."

Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman said the team's image has a black eye.

"We don't have a good image, we have taken some hits in the public relations department," he said.

In 1994, offensive lineman Erik Williams was in a one-car wreck and received two years' probation on a misdemeanor drunken driving offense.

Later that year, a 17-year-old topless dancer accused Williams of sexually assaulting her at his North Dallas home. A grand jury no-billed Williams two months later, after the teen-ager refuses to cooperate with prosecutors following an out-of-court settlement with the football star.

In 1995, reserve cornerback Clayton Holmes was suspended for a year following a positive drug test, reportedly for cocaine, the drug that caused Lett's falldown.

"The star has been diminished by all this and that's unfortunate," said safety Bill Bates, who has been on the team 14 years.

"Leon let the team down," said running backs coach Joe Brodsky. "There was a time here when we worked more together. Now, everyone has their own agenda."

Former Cowboy Preston Pearson, one of the best third-down receivers in club history, said the Dallas prestige has taken another big hit despite the team leading NFL Properties in sales.

"I don't feel sorry for Leon. He got what he deserved," Pearson said. "It's just a shame the way this reflects back on the Cowboys.

"We have the image of the Cowboys winning three Super Bowls. Then we have this other image of drugs.

"We didn't have stuff like this in the 1970s. But this is a different era. The players are different, the fans are different and the coaches are different."

And so are the salaries. Lett's slip will cost him $150,000 per game or about $2 million before he returns.