ATLANTA, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on drug charges Friday.
Lewis, who faces federal drug conspiracy charges and an additional charge of attempting to possess cocaine,
was not in the courtroom.
He is scheduled to go on trial Nov. 1, in the middle of the 2004 NFL season.
Lewis has been accused of trying to help a childhood friend buy up to 50 kilograms of cocaine in a 2000 deal that actually was part of an FBI sting operation.
The Pro Bowl running back was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, a charge that could result in 10 years in prison.
Last season, Lewis became the fifth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards and amassed the second-highest single-season yardage in NFL history (2,066 yards). He also broke the NFL's single-game rushing record with 295 yards against Cleveland Sept. 14.
