San Fransisco — A federal judge on Friday sentenced former NFL and Kansas University player Dana Stubblefield to two years’ probation for lying to investigators about his steroid use.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston cited Stubblefield’s later cooperation with authorities in the BALCO steroids case as she declined to sentence him to three months’ home confinement, which is what federal probation officials had recommended.

Illston said the sentence was warranted because Stubblefield was “extremely cooperative” with investigators after he was charged in January 2008. She also fined the 1997 defensive player of the year $5,000.

Federal prosecutors said Stubblefield turned over the names of players, agents and trainers he suspected of drug use to federal investigators and NFL officials. Prosecutors said NFL officials have interviewed Stubblefield and are investigating his claims.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment. Stubblefield declined the judge’s invitation to say something before he was sentenced, and he didn’t comment outside court.

According to prosecutors, Stubblefield received notice from the NFL on Nov. 10, 2003, that he had tested positive for THG, which was distributed by Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative and was known as “the clear.”

Three days later, he told IRS agent Jeff Novitzky he had never used that substance, according to the court records.

Stubblefield played defensive line for the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders from 1993-2003. He was the NFL defensive player of the year in 1997 while with the 49ers.

Stubblefield played at Kansas from 1990-92.