Broncos Sign Jason Watts

September 28, 1999 / 10:05 PM EDT / CBS/AP

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday announced the signing of former Kentucky player Jason Watts, who was released from jail in July after serving 3 1/2 months for a drunken-driving crash that killed a teammate and another man.

Watts, a center, will join Denver's developmental squad. The team made room for him by releasing defensive lineman Viliami Maumau.

The 22-year-old Watts pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless homicide and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the Nov. 15, 1998, accident.

But a judge granted Watts an early release from prison in a probation program for nonviolent offenders. Watts is required to attend an alcohol abuse program and perform at least 50 hours of community service each year.

His teammate, Arthur Steinmetz, and Eastern Kentucky student Scott Brock, both passengers, were killed when Watts' pickup truck went out of control as he tried to pass another driver near Somerset, Ky.

Tests showed Watts' blood-alcohol level to be 1@1/2 times the legal limit at the time.

Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said the team was aware of Watts' past legal problems. But he said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan talked with Kentucky coach Hal Mumme, who gave Watts an "unqualified recommendation as an individual."

"The situation existed, but the legal parts are satisfied," Saccomano said.

Mumme's recommendation "was one of the real reasons why" the Broncos signed Watts to the practice squad, Saccomano said.

"We didn't just ignore other factors in his life," he said.