Ex-college football player pleads over corkscrew stabbing

READING, Pa. (AP) A former Pennsylvania college football player pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors Friday in the corkscrew stabbing of a teammate - a dispute that a defense lawyer says started with ''yo mama'' jokes.

Prosecutors dropped the most serious charge of attempted murder against Marquis Stewart, 18, of Bethlehem.

Stewart pleaded guilty to simple assault and possession of an instrument of crime as part of the plea deal, said his lawyer, Tyree Blair.

Stewart was at Albright College in October when he was charged with stabbing a fellow freshman football player in the ribs. The fight started over ''yo mama'' jokes, Blair said, and a second altercation between the two players turned physical later that day. The other student, Dhameer Madison, of New Castle, Delaware, had minor injuries.

Stewart was expelled from Albright after he was charged and won't return to the school, his lawyer said.

Blair said Stewart was sentenced to time served to 23 months in jail, and three of those months will be on house arrest.

''It allows Mr. Stewart to become a successful person in society,'' Blair said of the deal. ''He can go out and make the best of his life.''

A call seeking comment from the Berks County District Attorney's office wasn't returned Friday.