Roger Goodell has never been known to take a soft stance on violent and/or irresponsible behavior from an NFL player. It stood to reason, then, that after Donte' Stallworth received just 30 days in prison from America's wonderful legal system, that the commish might have a harsher punishment in mind.That was confirmed this afternoon when Stallworth was suspended indefinitely by Goodell and the NFL, according to a letter sent to Stallworth and a statement released by the commissioner's office.
"The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable. While the criminal justice system has determined the legal consequences of this incident, it is my responsibility as NFL Commissioner to determine appropriate league discipline for your actions, which have caused irreparable harm to the victim and his family, your club, your fellow players and the NFL."
Goodell also cited the standard "benefits beget responsibilites" clause that many of our nation's athletes so easily seem to forget; with making millions comes having to answer to society when you do something stupid, etc.
Additionally, he alerted Stallworth that "[the NFL] will contact your representatives to schedule a meeting with you, after which I will make a final determination on discipline." That final determination, of course, will decide Stallworth's future in the NFL. And if Goodell's brief history as commissioner of the NFL tells us anything, it's not too bright.
Stallworth's base contract for 2009 calls for him to earn $745,000 with a $23,000 bonus for each game he's on the active roster -- he would not receive any of that money if Goodell extends his suspension into the season. The Browns have, thus far, opted not to try and recoup a $4.5 million roster bonus that Stallworth got on March 13, ironically the day before his accident.
Cutting Stallworth would force Cleveland to take a $7.6 million salary-cap hit. Keeping him on the roster through his suspension would have no effect on the Browns' 2009 cap.
Athletes in Trouble With the Law
June 16: Mel Hall, who played for four teams in his 13-year major league career, is found guilty of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he coached on a basketball team a decade ago. He's sentenced to 45 years in jail. Click through to see more sports figures who ran into trouble with the law.
Ray Stubblebine, AP
June 17: Former quarterback Ryan Leaf, seen here after being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1998, was arrested at the Canadian border on drug and burglary charges. He was wanted in the state of Texas.
Mark Lennihan, AP
June 16: NFL wide receiver Donte Stallworth, left, pleads guilty to DUI manslaughter and will serve 30 days in jail.
Alan Diaz, AP
May 30: Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins was charged with resisting arrest without violence.
Sam Greenwood, Getty Images
May 27: Falcons lineman Quinn Ojinnaka was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery. According to the police report, Ojinnaka got into a fight with his wife over a woman he added as a friend on his Facebook account.
Getty Images
May 29: Olympic silver medalist and former world kayaking champion Nathan Baggaley was sentenced to at least five years in prison on charges of supplying and manufacturing ecstasy pills.
Maxim Marmur, AFP / Getty Images
May 25: Former NBA star Jayson Williams, seen here during his manslaughter trial in 2004, was arrested after authorities say he punched someone in the face outside a nightclub.
Brian Branch-Price, AP
May 25: Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was charged with using his truck to hit a police officer who tried to stop the vehicle on foot.
Getty Images
May 16: Buffalo Bills fullback Corey McIntyre was arrested and accused with exposing and fondling himself in public.
Getty Images
May 15: Bruce Smith, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, faces multiple charges after being pulled over for speeding.
Chris O'Meara, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 17)
6-18-2009 @ 5:05PM
Juan Rodriguez said...
I could only imagine if it was a white player...
Like Tom Brady...
What would the commish do then..
Reply
6-18-2009 @ 5:12PM
kevin said...
color has nothing to do with this, so stop trying to make out to be .remember he killed a man .
6-18-2009 @ 5:39PM
matthew12678 said...
He got twenty four days in jail for killing a man, and you are ignorant enough to complain that he is being treated unfairly because he's black.(He kikked a hispanc man by the way RODRIGUEZ ) I would get fired from my 40,000 dollar a year job for a dui. I wouldn't get suspended I would be done. You really need to smarten up your comments were ridiulous, irresponsible and incredibly ignorant. SMARTEN UP
6-18-2009 @ 6:03PM
hi Rose said...
probably the same thing , but you don't see too many white players scewing up
6-18-2009 @ 6:37PM
letmeowt said...
What an insane thing to say. The book would be thrown at any player guilty of reckless behavior regardless of color. Go dust off your green card, Juan.
6-19-2009 @ 11:42AM
muffin said...
Who is the racist amigo!!! Looks like you.
6-18-2009 @ 8:37PM
muffin said...
Amigo, You sure sound like the racist here. The one who died because of this mexican or whatever race he is don't matter. A humand died.
6-18-2009 @ 10:16PM
rey said...
Are you out of your mind? Race, color, or whatever else you want to blame had nothing to do with his actions. I'm a working man with a monthly child support bill that will make your head spin, yet when I go out to have a few drinks, I make sure to reserve a taxi to take me home. This idiot is a millionaire who could afford a personal driver. He got what he deserved.
6-19-2009 @ 7:39AM
Richard Sack said...
I am amazed how people quickly place a racial
face on issues. This man killed someone - nobody
bent his elbow for him during his drinking spree-
he made a conscience decision to become
intoxicated and then drive his car. If he was not
a celebrity he would have received a very long jail sentence regardless of his race. Celebrities
have a mindset that the rules apply to everyone
but them.
6-19-2009 @ 7:39AM
gmftech said...
EXCUSE ME JUAN...this idiot football player got a lousy 30 days for killing someone while driving drunk? Anyone else NOT in the NFL would have gotten YEARS. Stallworth got off too easy for my money because he is who he is...or was.
6-19-2009 @ 7:48AM
Doug said...
Hey J Rod, why are you worry about the White race?
The Black race doesn't like Hispanics either. Just be glad Stallworth is only getting 30 days in jail, instead of 20 years.
6-19-2009 @ 8:41AM
RAF 803 said...
Juan, get a life...
your problems are not the worlds concern
stop blaming the white man for your lack of talent
Pat
6-19-2009 @ 9:11AM
lucabrocci said...
WHATS THAT MEAN? WHAT ,YOU THINK THEY WOULD'NT DO ANYTHING TO A WHITE PLAYER? I'M SICK OF HEARING THAT CRAP,if he was white he would have gotten five to ten years,he only got 30 days because he's black and the judge was afraid of being called a rascist,how ya like that logic?! AND YOU'RE SPANISH..HOW CAN YOU PLAY THE RACE CARD?
6-19-2009 @ 11:07AM
dilligafbass2002 said...
You would bring the racial part into it. And people wonder why USA is so bad to live in anymore. People like you need to get out!!!!
6-19-2009 @ 12:43PM
Jim said...
The same thing. Stop trying to play the race card.
6-19-2009 @ 12:43PM
Jim said...
The same thing. Stop trying to play the race card.
6-19-2009 @ 2:08PM
Rttb4 said...
That's it bring RACE into it, like that matters here. People have to be held accountable for their actions especially when they think they are ABOVE the law drink, drive & KILL someone.. REALLY!!!! Race... Please get off it.
6-19-2009 @ 2:47PM
shannonsway1111 said...
you're a moron. yes its all about color. the color made him drink that much, the color made him get behind the wheel, and the color of his skin made him kill another man. that's exactly what it is.... glad to know there are geniuses like you out there in the world to solve the great mysteries of the universe.
6-19-2009 @ 11:33PM
Kerstin said...
Good for Goodell, and shame on you for trying to make this a race issue! These players make millions, and while many of them are "kids" themselves, they still need to realize that they are idolized by their young, impressionable fans. For the "justice system" to send the message to kids that it's no big deal to get behind the wheel of a car drunk and take a person's life is CRIMINAL!!! At least Goodell has enough sense to try to send a more appropriate lesson. And if Brady had done this, I'm sure the consequences would have been no different. Stop using race as a hammer when someone behaves badly and suffers the natural consequences!
6-19-2009 @ 4:51PM
daheat0627 said...
No matter how you want to pull the race card my man---its still a crime and Goodell is out to protect the idenity of the NFL--therefore, i dont think it would of mattered if he was white,black, pink,green or blue---i think it would have been the same result
Race Cards dont work no more--for anyone---its 2009