Sources: Rey Maualuga of Cincinnati Bengals will enter rehab

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga will check into the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., later this month for at least 30 days, according to multiple NFL sources.

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Maualuga, who pleaded guilty to drunken driving in Kentucky on Tuesday and apologized for his actions, had considered checking into rehab this past week, but opted to put it off until after a previously planned trip to Samoa, sources said. He is expected to enter the facility once he returns.

The rookie linebacker from USC was arrested on Jan. 29 in Covington, Ky., after police said he hit a parking meter and two parked cars. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty and received a suspended seven-day jail sentence, two years' probation and had his driver's license suspended for 90 days. He was fined $884 plus court costs and will have to make restitution for damages from the accident.

He met with league officials on Wednesday, according to a source.

This is not the first time Maualuga has encountered problems with alcohol. During his freshman year at USC in 2005, Malaulga was arrested for misdemeanor battery in an alcohol-related incident. The charges were dismissed when he agreed to participate in an arraignment diversion program that included attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

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