FOWLER LINKED TO 'ROIDS DEALER

Steroids dealer says he supplied Titans LB Fowler

DALLAS (AP) -- Convicted steroids dealer David Jacobs said before his death last week he supplied Tennessee Titans linebacker Ryan Fowler with performance-enhancing drugs before and after the 2006 season, The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday. Fowler is under investigation by the NFL in an apparent steroids case.

Peter Ginsberg, Fowler's lawyer, told The Associated Press on Monday he assumed the investigation stemmed from the death of Jacobs, who police say killed himself and his girlfriend in their Plano home. Ginsberg denied Fowler took steroids.

"He's never tested positive for any banned substance," the lawyer told the AP. "The accusations are without any basis."

The Morning News reported that Jacobs said Fowler credited him for helping get a four-year, $11.5 million contract from the Titans after two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

"After he got his big contract, he came back, knocked on my door and hugged me," Jacobs said.

The bodies of Jacobs, 35, and Amanda Jo Earhart-Savell were found Thursday in the master bedroom of Jacobs' home. His death was ruled a suicide, and police have said a .40-caliber Glock was found next to Jacobs.

Jacobs was sentenced to three years' probation and fined $25,000 May 1 after pleading guilty last year to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids.

Jacobs previously told the Morning News he did not want to publicly implicate Fowler. He said he did not work out with Fowler. Fowler allegedly met Jacobs through Bob Johnson, an amateur bodybuilder in suburban Dallas. Johnson said Fowler just wanted some vitamins and was "real adamant" about not taking anything illegal.

Jacobs met twice with NFL security officials and gave them names of players he said bought steroids from him. He has said he sold tens of thousands of dollars worth of performance-enhancing drugs to former Cowboys offensive lineman Matt Lehr in 2006 and 2007. Lehr's attorney has denied his client used banned substances after a four-game suspension in 2006.

The NFL said last week it is evaluating information provided by Jacobs.

AP-ES-06-10-08 1125EDT