Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was sentenced Thursday to a suspended six-month jail term and one-year probation stemming from a 2012 DUI and reckless driving case.
Fairley was not in attendance for his sentencing, as he was at Lions training camp in Allen Park, Michigan, on Thursday.
After Lions practice Friday, Fairley declined to comment on the case, only saying, "Not today. Not today. Not today."
"The judge's order was explicit that the defendant was supposed to be in court today," assistant district attorney Spiro Cheriogotis told Alabama television station WALA. "He was not here. The judge, I believe, followed the rule as he believed it. Rule nine allowed for a waiver of the defendants present. The judge followed the rule. We think that the defendant should've been here today as the state."
The judge's order says the punishment is typical for first-time offenders, and the former Auburn standout must also attend driving school.
WALA reported that Fairley's attorney, Sid Herrell, said he did not inform Fairley about the court date and that he plans to appeal the sentence. Fairley has until Aug. 14 to file the appeal.
Fairley is expected to be a key piece of the Lions' defense this fall and is in a contract year as the team chose not to pick up his fifth-year option earlier this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.