ESPN NFL

CINCINNATI -- The fan who ran onto the field during a Bengals game and took the football from Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre was placed on 14 months' probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct while intoxicated.

	Favre

Greg Gall of Cincinnati also was sentenced to 230 hours of community service and fined $200. While on probation, he is banned from Paul Brown Stadium and the Reds' Great American Ball Park. A charge of resisting arrest was dropped.

"We respect the judge's decision and we hope this will serve to deter similar incidents in the future," Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said.

The 31-year-old Gall interrupted the final minute of Cincinnati's 21-14 victory on Oct. 30 as the Packers were at the Bengals' 28 and trying to tie the score. As Favre went back to pass, Gall came from behind and grabbed the ball. He raced down the field, celebrating, until security guards tackled him.

Several Packers complained about security and said Gall could have hurt Favre. The Bengals said they have increased security since that game.

County prosecutor Joe Deters wrote to Judge David Stockdale urging a jail sentence to deter "stupid acts like this." Gall's lawyer, Scott Rubenstein, told the judge his client has suffered embarrassment and his job is in jeopardy.

"It's been a humiliating experience for him," Rubenstein said.

He said Gall was remorseful and wrote apologies to the Bengals and the county.

Stockdale said he didn't want to use jail space on Gall, but admonished him: "Usually these kinds of antics are the province of 18- and 19-year-olds. You're 31."

The judge also suggested that Gall might need alcohol counseling during probation. Assistant prosecutor Debbie Casey had told the court that Gall had a 1995 assault conviction stemming from a bar fight.

Gall said in court he understood his plea, and he declined comment afterward.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press