Falcons' Bennett Begins Jail Time

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

May 2, 1998 / 10:10 PM EDT / CBS Sportsline

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Cornelius Bennett surrendered Thursday to begin serving a 60-day sexual abuse sentence.

Bennett pleaded guilty in September to misdemeanor sex abuse stemming from an encounter with a longtime acquaintance in a Buffalo hotel room in May. As he surrendered Thursday morning, Bennett thanked his wife for standing by him, calling her "the epitome of the word woman."

"Although this is not the outcome that we hoped for, I am very glad that this chapter of my life is almost over," Bennett told The Buffalo News. He said he took comfort in having "committed my life to Christ."

A bench warrant had been issued Wednesday when Bennett failed to show up to go to jail. It was to take effect at the end of the day Thursday. Bennett's attorney said the player had trouble getting a flight from Georgia to Buffalo.

Bennett flew into Buffalo with his wife, Kimberley, and their 2-month-old daughter late Wednesday night.

Bennett played for the Buffalo Bills for nine years before signing a contract with the Falcons two years ago.