GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) Suspended Green Bay Packers’ defensive end Johnny Jolly has asked the N-F-L to re-instate him. Jolly was released from prison a few weeks ago, after several felony arrests for possessing codeine in his home town of Houston. He’s on probation in the Texas justice system for the next 10 years – and he’s been under suspension in the N-F-L since the end of the 2009 season.

The 29-year-old Jolly tells the National Football Post that he needs the game-of-football much more than the game needs him – and he hopes to show he can be quote, “a good, reliable citizen that the league and others can depend on and trust.”Jolly says he’s been clean for eight months, and he’s been working out. He says he’d still like to lose about 10 pounds.

Green Bay still possesses his rights – and Jolly believes the Packers would give him another chance. Jolly could step back into a starting role if he’s re-admitted. Veteran defensive ends Anthony Hargrove and Mike Neal will both start the season under league suspensions. Jolly started the entire 2008-and-2009 seasons.