Former Texas RB Ramonce Taylor sent to jail for 5 months for violating probation

BELTON, Texas (AP) -Ramonce Taylor, the former Texas running back who had 15 touchdowns in the Longhorns' 2005 national championship season, is serving five months in jail for violating probation.

The sentence District Judge Martha Trudo handed down Thursday also includes five years probation upon his release.

Given Taylor's history of multiple probation violations in recent months, including positive drug tests, Trudo said he can get drug and alcohol counseling "that he obviously needs" while in jail.

"He's not going to do it on his own," Trudo told The Associated Press. "This is going to be his best way to try and make himself a productive citizen, if he wants to be."

Taylor's mother, Ramona Clark, began wailing during the hearing and was removed from the courtroom, the Temple Daily Telegram reported. She passed out and hit her head on the floor, but regained consciousness a few seconds later.

"At some time you ought to realize what you are doing to your mother," Trudo told Taylor. "This is your second and last chance."

Taylor's attorney, Bucky Harris, did not immediately return a telephone message Friday from the AP.

His college career ended after he was arrested in May 2006 and later pleaded guilty to having 4 ounces to 5 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle. The marijuana was divided into four 1-pound bags.

Taylor was dismissed from the Longhorns and has continued to have legal problems with multiple probation violations, including two positive drug tests, failure to report to his probation officer, criminal trespassing and entering a nightclub where alcohol is served.

He was arrested just two weeks ago on a charge of a possessing a small amount of marijuana, Bell County Assistant District Attorney Bob Odom said.

In court, Harris argued that the best way for Taylor to overcome his problems was through hard work and another chance to play professional football.

Taylor told the judge that he recently had a workout with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I actually had a great tryout and they are thinking about signing me (as a special teams player)," Taylor said, asking the judge for another chance at probation.

"I'd rather be a role model and put God first in my life," Taylor said. "I lost God when I went to college and stopped going to church."