LOS ANGELES – Former NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich pleaded no contest Tuesday to a felony heroin possession charge, and agreed to enter a year-long drug treatment program, thus avoiding a prison sentence.

Marinovich, 31, who now plays for the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League, entered his plea before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen A. Marcus, who presides over the county drug court.

In accordance with the drug court program, Marinovich waived his right to be sentenced, pending the outcome of his treatment program. A felony narcotics conviction is punishable by up to three years in state prison.

If Marinovich successfully completes the 12-to-15 month-long treatment program, he will be allowed to withdraw his plea, and the charges against him will be dropped, Deputy District Attorney Alan Schneider said.

Marcus expressed concern that Marinovich's football schedule will interfere with the drug program's demanding requirements, but Marinovich's attorney, Steve Seiden, said the program will be "our No. 1 priority."

"At no time can he be missing (from the program) for more than two days," said Raymond May, a drug court representative.

Avengers spokesman John Tamanaha said Marinovich remains a member of the team, and its schedule won't interfere with his participation in the treatment program.

Details of Marinovich's treatment, which will consist of counseling, group-sharing sessions, residential and outpatient treatment -- will be discussed at a hearing April 24.

"I hope you do very well in the program," Marcus told Marinovich. "It'll be good for you and good for us."

Marinovich was arrested Dec. 13 just west of downtown Los Angeles. Police said they found heroin in the vehicle after stopping him for driving a car without a license plate.

He also was charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended or revoked license. Those charges were dismissed when he entered his no contest plea.

Marinovich was arrested last April on suspicion of rape, but the district attorney's office declined to file charges in the case. He denied the allegations.

He spent 90 days in an Orange County jail in 1998 for a marijuana cultivation conviction, and was arrested in 1991 after police said they found him with cocaine and marijuana. At that time, he entered a drug diversion program.

Marinovich played at Southern California before the Los Angeles Raiders made him a first-round selection in the 1991 NFL draft. The Raiders released him before the 1993 season.

Marinovich passed for 2,252 yards and 45 touchdowns for the Avengers last season, when he started eight games. Currently, he is the team's third-string quarterback.

"Todd continues to be very much a member of this football team," Tamanaha said. "The program is not designed for its participants to drastically alter their occupations. However, he is still working his way back into playing shape, and will not accompany the team to its first exhibition game Friday in Nashville."

The Avengers open the regular season April 14 at San Jose.