Stallworth’s Career on Hold
Last March Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth violated NFL’s personal conduct policy and its substance abuse policy. On March 14th 59-year-old Mario Reyes was leaving his job as a crane operator, when he was suddenly struck and killed by a drunk driver. The driver was Donte’ Stallworth. After a night of drinking at a Miami club Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126; well above Florida’s .08 legal limit.
During a hearing in June Stallworth pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter. He was given a 30-day jail sentence, two years of house arrest, eight years of probation and his license was permanently revoked. To top it all off, Stallworth has been suspended without pay for the 2009 season. In 2008 he signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns, and the night before the crash Stallworth earned a $4.5 million roster-signing bonus. He is now going to lose the remaining $745,000 on his 2009 contract. Even though Stallworth is suspended by the NFL he is still under contract with the Browns and remains on the team roster.
Despite the suspension and loss of pay Stallworth should still be able to maintain his abilities. Last Tuesday a judge ruled that he will be allowed to leave home confinement to train with strength and conditioning Coach Pete Bommarito five days a week. Besides training Stallworth can only leave his home for work, community service and/or other approved activities.
In a public statement August 6th Stallworth expressed his remorse and promised to conduct himself “in a manner that more accurately reflects who I am and meets the high standard expected of all NFL players.” He also said, "It is clear that I exercised poor judgment and caused irreparable harm to Mario Reyes, his family, the NFL, its owners, coaches, employees and to my fellow players." Stallworth has also talked about how difficult it has been to cope with what happened. He has been seeing a psychiatrist weekly. Stallworth reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the Reyes family.
Is this the last end of Donte’ Stallworth’s career? We’ll have to wait at least another year to find out. |
