New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount has one less thing to worry about as he and the Pats offense prepare to square off against the Seattle Seahawks vaunted defensive front in Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday.
Blount, who was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession on Aug. 20, completed the court-mandated 50 hours of community service prior to Feb. 4 to ensure the charges would be dropped.
"He was happy to get this done in a timely fashion so he wouldn't have any distractions with the game at hand," Blount's Pittsburgh-based attorney Casey White said, according to ESPN.
White notified the court early Friday that Blount had satisfied the required community service by working with a Boston group called Urban Achievers.
The 28-year-old Blount no longer is required to appear in court near Pittsburgh next week.
Blount, who was playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the time, was arrested, along with teammate and backfield running mate Le'Veon Bell "after police said they found about three-fourths of an ounce of marijuana in Bell's car during a traffic stop in Ross Township, a Pittsburgh suburb," according to ESPN.
The Steelers cut Blount in the wake of the arrest and his decision to vacate the playing field early in a loss against the Tennessee Titans.
He then rejoined the Patriots - he spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons as a member of coach Bill Belichick's team - and has seen his NFL stock rise considerably in that time. In 11 games for the Steelers he ran for 266 yards. In five games with the Patriots, he has 281 yards.
In the Patriots AFC Championship victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Blount managed 148 yards and three touchdowns.
Blount, speaking to the media last week about his Super Bowl preparation, said he has enjoyed the opportunity to return to New England.
"I've had good times and bad and I've embraced them all," Blount said. "So I'm enjoying every second of this."
Blount could still face discipline from the NFL, now that the case is resolved, according to White.
