When Smith Leaves Jail, He’s a Saint

Lamar Smith, in jail because of a car accident injuring two Seattle Seahawks teammates, has agreed to a four-year, $7.1 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.

The running back was the driver in a one-car accident on Dec. 1, 1994, in which Mike Frier was left paralyzed and Chris Warren was injured. All three players had been drinking.

Smith is serving a four-month sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of vehicular assault.

“All I can say is ‘There but for the grace of God go I,”’ Saint Coach Mike Ditka said. “We’ve all done it at one time in our life. We’ve used bad judgment with alcohol and a vehicle.”

Smith spent most of his first four seasons playing behind Warren and has rushed for 1,286 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has a 4.6-yard-per-carry average.