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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Place-kicker Lawrence Tynes of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants has asked the Bush administration to commute a lengthy sentence given to his brother for distributing marijuana.

Bond of Brothers

One brother chose football, the other chose drugs. Kicker Lawrence Tynes, right, has a Super Bowl ring with the Giants; his brother, Mark, is in prison. Last spring they talked about their lives, their choices and their brotherly bond. Story

Tynes, who kicked the winning field goal in the NFC Championship Game in January, maintains that the 27-year sentence that his brother Mark is serving in a federal facility in Arkansas was excessive for the crime.

"My brother is not asking for a pardon, he is asking for a commutation, which would reduce his sentence," Tynes said Wednesday after the Giants finished practice for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.

"By no means is he asking to be freed tomorrow," Tynes said. "He deserves to be spending time -- the 27 years is something that we think is a little steep."

Mark Tynes was convicted in 2004 of two counts of marijuana distribution for his part in a plan to move 18 tons of marijuana between Texas and Florida.

The 31-year-old Tynes refused to cooperate after his arrest. Four childhood friends testified against him and received sentences ranging from 21 months to five years.

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Tynes has run out of appeals to reduce his sentence.

Lawrence Tynes said federal prisoners normally serve 90 percent of their sentences, which would be at least 24 years. As of now, Mark Tynes is scheduled to be released in 2026.

Lawrence Tynes hired Robert A. Ortiz, a Morristown attorney who is the finance chairman for the New Jersey Republican State Committee, to work on the commutation appeal. It was filed two months ago.

"The situation that Mark found himself in was partly due to his own mistakes," Ortiz said Tuesday, according to the Daily News. "We have to make sure that what we submit is accurate and explains Mark's position and why we believe the sentence is excessive."

Earlier this week, President George W. Bush granted pardons to 14 individuals and commuted the prison sentences of two others. Lawrence Tynes hopes the president will consider his brother's case before leaving office on Jan. 20.

The five-year NFL veteran said there are some people who don't believe his brother deserves clemency.

"But at this point in time, it's kind of like the 'Hail Mary' pass," Tynes said. "It's worth a shot. It's part of the process, so why not use it."

The brothers remain close. In an April interview with ESPN, Tynes said then he speaks to Mark three or four times a week. According to the Daily News, Lawrence has actively campaigned to get Mark moved to a prison about 90 minutes from Giants Stadium and covers most of his brother's legal bills.

Tynes met Bush this spring when the Giants visited the White House after winning the Super Bowl, and he said it was ironic he was appealing to him now.

"But you know what, he'll make the right decision," Tynes said. "We're just keeping our fingers crossed right now."

Ortiz was recommended to Tynes by friends involved in politics. As the kicker for the reigning Super Bowl champs, Tynes' prominence will benefit their cause, Ortiz said.

"Because Lawrence is high-profile, this will get people to look at the story and take a look at what happened to Mark," Ortiz told the Daily News.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.