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NFL broadcaster arrested on drug, gun charges

Maas, 45, had marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy in car, police say

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msnbc.com news services
updated 12:20 a.m. ET July 9, 2007

PEORIA, Ill. - Broadcaster Bill Maas, a former All-Pro lineman, was released from jail Sunday after his arrest on drug possession and weapons charges during a roadside check.

Maas and passenger Sarah Murphy were released Sunday and ordered to return to court August 21, jail officials said.

The two were arrested Friday night after authorities stopped Maas’ sport utility vehicle along Illinois Route 116 . They asked to search the vehicle after Maas appeared nervous, officials said. The search uncovered a .22-caliber revolver, 5 grams of suspected marijuana, 6 grams of suspected cocaine and 28 pills of Ecstasy, police said.

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The 45-year-old Maas was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon. Murphy was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana, jail officials said.

Maas was drafted out of Pittsburgh by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984 and became a two-time All-Pro. The defensive tackle played with the Chiefs until 1992 and with Green Bay the following year. He joined Fox Sports in 1996 and worked for the network as a reporter, anchor and analyst through last season.

A Fox Sports spokesman told the USA Today that Maas "wasn't expected" to work for Fox this season and now "will not be coming back to Fox in any capacity."

Maas and Murphy, 27, live in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Maas’ telephone listing was not published and no telephone information could be found in Lee’s Summit for Murphy. It was unclear if the two had retained a lawyer.

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