the car in which he found the pills in a duffel bag sitting on the rear seat. Cooper was not penalized for participation of any games during his senior year as possession of steroids did not violate NCAA rules. A New York Times report stated "NCAA spokeswoman, Laronica L. Conway, said the illegal possession of steroids was an issue for the institution to resolve. There is no violation of NCAA bylaws unless a player is accused of actually ingesting the pills, not simply possessing them, she said from the association's headquarters in Indianapolis." The University of Maine star pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of steroids. Cooper was released following his plea to the misdemeanor offense, and issued a statement saying he had planned not to use the drugs. Professional career He was an undrafted agent in 2003. References External links San Diego Chargers bio Sports Illustrated - 2003 Draft Profile 1979 births Living people African-American players of American football American football linebackers American people of Cape Verdean descent Maine Black Bears football players San Diego Chargers players People from Wareham, Massachusetts Players of American football from Massachusetts Sportspeople from Plymouth County, Massachusetts 21st-century African-American sportspeople 20th-century African-American sportspeople