COLUMBUS, Ohio — Art Schlichter avoided a possible return to prison Wednesday after a Franklin County judge sentenced the former Ohio State quarterback to one year of probation on a drug charge.
Court records show Schlichter could be sent to prison for 11 months if he violates the terms of his probation. He will have to serve one day in jail.
The sentencing comes after Schlichter pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of possession of cocaine, records show. Schlichter was arrested in October 2022 when he was found unresponsive at the Hampton Inn in Hilliard and was resuscitated with the help of Narcan. A test of the substance found from Schlichter’s room came back as cocaine.
It adds to a long list of legal troubles for Schlichter, who played for Ohio State from 1978 to 1981. He had a brief NFL career with the Colts and was suspended multiple times for gambling. Many of his legal troubles were a result of his gambling addiction.
Schlichter was released from federal prison in June of 2021 on parole, serving nine years of a prison sentence for charges of federal fraud. He was in prison for his role in a scheme where he promised prospective buyers tickets to college and NFL football games but never delivered them.