Lawyer says he was trying to warn Tressel

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Columbus lawyer who tipped off Ohio State coach Jim Tressel that two of his players were involved in a federal drug trafficking case now says he regrets ever contacting the Buckeyes coach.

Tressel has admitted he violated NCAA rules and Ohio State has levied a two-game suspension and a $250,000 fine. The NCAA has yet to finalize those penalties.

Making his first public statements Friday on the case which broke earlier this week, attorney Christopher Cicero said on ESPN that he wasn't betraying Ohio State, where he walked on to the football team in the 1980s.

Cicero said he sent the e-mails in April and June 2010 because he wanted Tressel to be aware that players were exchanging memorabilia with a tattoo-shop owner who was the target of the federal investigation.