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DALLAS - Former Cowboys defensive back Dwayne Goodrich was sentenced Tuesday to 71/2 years in prison and fined $20,000 for a hit-and-run accident that killed two men in January.
A jury last week convicted Goodrich of criminally negligent homicide, and prosecutors had asked jurors to sentence him to 10 years in prison for each of the two criminally negligent homicide charges.
Goodrich was released Tuesday night on $150,000 bond pending an appeal of his case that could take several months and is not expected to begin before Jan. 1.
Defense attorney Reed Prospere said Goodrich told him six or seven teams were interested in signing him. Prospere said that would require league approval and Goodrich hoped to obtain it.
Demont Matthews, 23, and Joby Wood, 21, were trying to rescue a motorist from a burning car on Jan. 14 on an interstate when they were hit by Goodrich's car.
Goodrich, 25, testified during the trial that he didn't see the predawn accident scene because a sport utility vehicle in front of him blocked his view. He said he slammed on the brakes when he came upon a stalled vehicle in the road and was forced to swerve to the left, hitting Wood and Matthews and injuring another man.
Goodrich said he originally believed, or hoped, he hit debris and left the scene. He surrendered hours later after contacting his mother and his attorney.
CHIEFS: Oft-injured offensive tackle Willie Jones, who sprained his neck and temporarily lost feeling in his body in an exhibition game earlier this month, announced his retirement.
DOLPHINS-TEXANS TRADE: Miami traded fullback Deon Dyer to Houston for a conditional draft pick in 2004. Dyer was used almost exclusively in a blocking role for the Dolphins.
49ERS: Cornerback Jason Webster will be out four to eight weeks after being injured in practice. With a hairline fracture of his leg, a torn knee capsule and ligament damage, Webster will miss up to six regular-season games, coach Dennis Erickson said.
GIANTS: Coach Jim Fassel grabbed a player by the face mask and then threw a helmet toward him in one of his angriest displays since taking over the team in 1997. Second-year fullback Charles Stackhouse drew Fassel's ire after throwing a punch at linebacker Dhani Jones during a red-zone drill. There were three scuffles within five minutes during a fight-filled afternoon practice, and Fassel called the team together after the last one and threatened to kick the next pugilist off the team, no matter who it was.
LIONS: Wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim will miss the rest of the preseason after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
PANTHERS: Kick returner Michael Bates was acquitted of a drunken driving charge in Charlotte, N.C. after a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove the accusation.
PATRIOTS-BEARS TRADE: Chicago traded veteran nose tackle Ted Washington to New England for a fourth-round pick in the 2004 draft. Washington, 35, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He has 852 career tackles and 29 sacks in 12 seasons with San Francisco, Denver, Buffalo and Chicago.
In other news, free-agent offensive lineman Corbin Lacina signed with the Patriots. Lacina, 32, started all 16 games last season for the Vikings.
RAVENS: Chris McAlister was arrested and charged with driving under the influence early Monday in Virginia, a police spokesman said. The starting cornerback was pulled over for speeding and was charged with DUI at 2:36 a.m. Monday in Fairfax County, Va., according to Virginia state police. Further details of the arrest were not immediately available.
TITANS: Defensive end Jevon Kearse sprained his right ankle near the end of practice and was in a walking boot after being treated by trainers. Coach Jeff Fisher said the three-time Pro Bowl player did not appear to be severely hurt. Kearse said he strained his foot and didn't hear any pop or break.