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NEW ORLEANS -- Former NFL star Darren Sharper filed a federal court notice Friday that he now plans to appeal his conviction and nearly two-decade sentence in a drug and sexual assault case -- a case in which he pleaded guilty.Sharper pleaded guilty or no-contest in four states where he faced allegations that he drugged and raped women. Charged in both state and federal jurisdictions, he had entered a so-called global plea deal in early 2015 that called for a roughly nine-year sentence.But U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo in New Orleans rejected what she said was a too-lenient sentence and last week imposed an 18-year, four-month prison term -- just shy of the 20-year maximum she said was called for in sentencing guidelines.On Thursday, a Louisiana state judge added a 20-year sentence to run at the same time.The grounds for Sharpers appeal were not spelled out in Fridays one-paragraph filing, and it was unclear what the defense teams next move would be in state court in Louisiana or other states. A defense attorney did not immediately respond to a call for comment Friday afternoon, and the state appeal court in New Orleans was closed.Donald Chick Foret, a New Orleans attorney with experience in the federal court system, said the appeal following a plea bargain and sentence is unusual.Hes got very experienced and sophisticated lawyers who have extensive experience with these types of complex criminal matters, and if an appeal was filed, they must think that they have an issue for review, Foret said.Sharper pleaded guilty to criminal charges in Arizona and was immediately sentenced to nine years. He pleaded guilty in Nevada and no-contest in California, and is awaiting formal sentencing. All of the charges arose from allegations that he drugged and raped women. Criminal charges named nine victims, but Milazzo said during court proceedings that there are allegations from as many as 16 victims -- a factor state judge Karen Herman reiterated in sentencing Sharper to 20 years Thursday.Sharper apologized to victims and their families after two victims gave tearful and sometimes angry impact statements in court this week.After retiring from a 14-year career in 2011, Sharper was working as an NFL network analyst when women began telling police in several cities similar stories of blacking out while drinking with him and waking up groggy to find they had been sexually abused.Sharper played in two Super Bowls, one with the Green Bay Packers as a rookie and one with the?New Orleans Saints when they won in 2010. Russell Westbrook Jersey . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Patrick Patterson Jersey .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. http://www.cheapthunderjerseyschina.com/ . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Andre Roberson Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Steven Adams Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. RIO DE JANEIRO -- A small, unmanned hot-air balloon crashed into the roof of one of the arenas in Rios Olympic Park on Monday, causing minor fire and water damage but with no reported injuries.Rio organizing committee spokesman Mario Andrada said the small balloon -- often called a sky lantern or Chinese lantern- was probably launched from one of the citys favelas and hit the Carioca 3 Arena.Andrada said firefighters used a lot of water, and water spilled into the field of play.The balloon struck early Monday morning. OOfficials were able to repair the limited damage, which allowed a wheelchair fencing event to start on time.ddddddddddddAndrada said launching the unmanned balloons is a Rio tradition, often to celebrate church feast days. He said police are investigating who launched the balloon.Andrada said the balloons are illegal and particularly dangerous when they fall into big houses or big factories. ' ' '