MIAMI (AP) -A former Kansas City Chief and University of Florida football player has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for a health care fraud scheme that prosecutors say bilked the federal government out of about $20 million.

Federal court records show that 46-year-old Monty Grow was sentenced Monday and ordered to pay about $18 million in restitution.

Grow was convicted earlier this year on 17 counts of health care fraud and money laundering in a kickback scheme from Patient Care America, a South Florida compounding pharmacy.

Prosecutors say Grow got millions in illegal payments for recruiting patients who were covered by the Tricare health insurance program for the U.S. Department of Defense, which services veterans.

Grow played the 1994 NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs, competing in 15 games and tallying one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and seven tackles. He also played one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.