Smith Goes Free, Signs With Saints

March 3, 1998 / 9:01 PM EST / AP

Running back Lamar Smith, serving a four-month prison term in Seattle for vehicular assault that left a teammate paralyzed, was freed for 24 hours Tuesday so he could sign a multimillion dollar contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Seattle authorities allowed Smith, a free agent who played for the Seattle Seahawks the past four years, to travel to New Orleans to sign the four-year contract, reportedly worth $7.1 million.

"I see a great opportunity down here in New Orleans ... because this is a running team," Smith said during a news conference at the Saints training camp.

The 28-year-old Smith was sentenced Feb. 13 to four months in jail for a 1994 car accident that left Seahawks defensive tackle Mike Frier paralyzed below the waist.

Alcohol was believed to be a factor in the accident in which a vehicle carrying Smith, Frier and Seattle running back Chris Warren hit a traffic median and slammed into a utility pole in suburban Kirkland, Wash.

Smith's trial in February 1996 ended in a mistrial when jurors deadlocked 11-1 to convict him of vehicular assault. He pleaded guilty last month to a similar charge, averting a second trial.

On Tuesday, Smith said he would complete on April 29 a 60-day prison sentence in which he was being allowed to serve on work release, working days at a Seattle gymnasium and spending the nights in the King County Jail in Seattle.

He said 30 days of the sentence had been commuted for good behavior and he would be required to perform 30 days of community service.

Smith also lost his driver's license for a year under the plea.

Smith also reached a $4 million settlement with Frier to be paid over seven years with half of his signing bonuses and 35 percent of his income as an NFL player.

On Tuesday, coach Mike Ditka and president-general manager Bill Kuharich said they expected Smith to play a major role in the Saints' offense something he had not been able to do at Seattle, where Smith was the backup for Warren, who has gained more than 1,000 yards the past four seasons.

"This guy can make a move, but he can also run over tacklers," Kuharich said.

Smith, 5-foot-11, 218 pounds, will compete with Ray Zellars and Troy Davis as the Saints try to improve a running game that ranked 27th in the NFL.

Smith's contract reportedly includes no signing bonus, but has $2 million guaranteed in the first two years $1.5 million in 1998 and $500,000 in 1999. He also can earn a one-time incentive of $800,000 for rushing for 1,000 yards in any season and can void the final season if he rushes for 1,000 in any of the first three seasons.

Smith's best season at Seattle was in 1996, when he played in all 16 games, started two, gained 680 yards on 153 carries and scored eight touchdowns. Last season, he gained 392 yards on 91 carries and missed four games with a broken ankle.