SHERMAN – The ringleader of one of the largest steroids trafficking networks in the nation said Thursday after he was sentenced to probation that he plans to meet with the NFL to share his expertise to help "clean up" football.

"I want to help them understand the loopholes, how I was able to help people beat the tests, and how prevalent steroid use is," Plano bodybuilder David Jacobs said after his sentencing hearing. He said he and the league had not discussed whether he would be paid for his expertise.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed Thursday that the league wants to talk to Mr. Jacobs.

He said a league security representative contacted Mr. Jacobs' attorney, Hank Hockeimer, in November "about our interest in speaking to Jacobs at the appropriate time. There has been no further contact to this point."

Mr. Jacobs was sentenced to three years of probation and fined $25,000 Thursday after he told a judge that he has cooperated fully with federal investigators and was sorry for what he did.

Mr. Jacobs says some of his steroids ended up being used by NFL players, professional bodybuilders and police officers.

He has said he sold large amounts of steroids and human growth hormone to ex-Dallas Cowboys lineman Matt Lehr, now with the New Orleans Saints, but he has not publicly named any others from the NFL.

"They're scared," he said. "I don't want to ruin anyone's life."

When asked whether he would supply the NFL with names, he said, "I'm not going to discuss that at all."

Mr. Lehr's attorney has said that Mr. Jacobs lacks credibility and that prosecutors have told him his client will not be indicted. The U.S. attorney's office overseeing the case has said only that the investigation is ongoing.

Mr. Jacobs, 35, said Thursday after his sentencing that he hopes to work with high schools to help student athletes avoid steroids.

"I just want to make things right," he said. "I got into this to help people, and I want to finish it helping people."

During Mr. Jacobs' brief hearing Thursday morning, U.S. District Judge Richard Schell said Mr. Jacobs' probation sentence seemed light, but was assured by prosecutors and Mr. Jacobs that his cooperation with investigators was thorough.

Mr. Jacobs has said he led investigators to Chinese factories producing raw steroids powder, which he ordered and then cooked into usable steroids.

Judge Schell queried Mr. Jacobs on the harmfulness of steroids and whether they were addictive. Mr. Jacobs acknowledged that under certain circumstances, they are harmful.

"Yes sir, like any drug, overuse can hurt your body," Mr. Jacobs, a former Marine, told the judge.

Mr. Jacobs said that, in a way, steroids can be addictive.

"When steroids are removed from your body, you, for lack of a better term, are mortal again," Mr. Jacobs said.

The judge also sentenced Mr. Jacobs' former girlfriend Amber Jarrell, who played a minimal role in the distribution network, to three years of probation and a $1,000 fine.

A third co-defendant, Matt Williams, who helped package and store the steroids, received three years of probation and a $10,000 fine.

During Mr. Williams' hearing, Judge Schell asked him if he sold steroids. He said no but admitted using them because he is overweight and had a self-esteem problem.

"How do you lose weight and get big at the same time?" the judge asked. Mr. Williams said people can work out twice as long, and harder, on steroids.

"Steroids allowed me to accomplish in 100 days what would otherwise take a year," Mr. Williams said.

A year ago, investigators with the Food and Drug Administration's office of criminal investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and others shut down Mr. Jacobs' sprawling steroids network.

Four other co-defendants who have pleaded guilty are awaiting sentencing in the case.

Former bodybuilder David Jacobs imported raw powder from China and made steroids, which he sold through a network that investigators believe could be one of the largest in the U.S. His six co-defendants are either personal trainers or amateur bodybuilders.

Sentenced Thursday: Mr. Jacobs, 35, ringleader, three years' probation and a $25,000 fine. Amber Jarrell, 37, of Plano, his former girlfriend, three years' probation and a $1,000 fine. Matt Williams, 39, of Dallas, who helped bottle and store the steroids, three years' probation and a $10,000 fine.

Awaiting sentences: Andrew Schenck of Dallas; Juan Carlos Ballivian of Houston; Brandon Mark Smith of the Dallas area; and Jamie Mongeau of Wichita, Kan.