Stallworth Ruling Not Harsh Enough, But Only Because It Can't Be

The problem is you can't win on this one, nobody can. You think Roger Goodell came down too hard on Donte' Stallworth, suspending him for the whole season without pay for pleading guilty to DUI/Manslaughter? You think that punishment is too harsh? Yeah, well, the other guy died.

That's what Stallworth has to live with for the rest of his life. Because of an incomprehensibly selfish, irresponsible, avoidable, inexcusable crime he committed, an innocent man named Mario Reyes died. And for that reason, every single rotten thing that happens to Stallworth for the rest of his life is going to feel totally just -- to him as well as to those watching from the outside. That is Stallworth's curse, one he brought on himself, and so the letter he got from Goodell this morning informing him of his punishment can't be a surprise and can't possibly feel unfair.

"In my view, the essential facts are that you had alcohol in your system well above the legal limit, made a conscious decision to drive, and struck and killed a man," Goodell wrote in his letter. "As you recognize, this conduct and the loss of life has caused serious damage to the NFL and NFL players generally. Legal arguments that focus on criminal liability under Florida law do not diminish that damage or your responsibility for your conduct."

Stallworth served 24 days of a 30-day sentence in a Florida jail after pleading guilty to his crime. His driver's license is suspended, he's under two years' house arrest, eight years' probation and paid some amount of money in a settlement negotiated with Reyes' family. These are all serious, hurtful punishments, and so is the one Goodell slapped him with today. But how can Stallworth or anybody else look at any of them as too harsh? Or even harsh enough? Whatever you want to say, however you want to assess what's happened to Stallworth in the past five months, it's all trumped by this:

The other guy died. And he didn't have to.

"Despite a repeated emphasis on the importance of avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol, you chose to drive under circumstances where you were legally impaired," Goodell went on. "And you did so even though safe and confidential alternatives, such as the 'Safe Ride' program, were available to you. Your conduct endangered yourself and others, leading to the death of an innocent man. The NFL and NFL players must live with the stain that you have placed on their reputations."

Say you're the NFL players' union, and you want to make an issue of the discipline process in the NFL. You're sick and tired of Goodell being judge, jury and executioner. In the coming CBA negotiations, you want to push for an independent arbitrator. And then this comes down. You're going to howl about it? How can you?

A union spokesman said this morning that the NFLPA has no comment yet, and can you blame them? What are they going to say? They can't defend him. As that last Goodell passage points out, Stallworth's actions have no defense. Drunk driving is a purely selfish, arrogant and totally avoidable crime. You never have to drive drunk. You can always call a cab, call a friend, get a ride home from somebody who works at the bar where you're drinking. You're an NFL player, with all that money, there is no reason to get behind the wheel if you have any questions at all about whether you belong there.

So if you're the union on this, you can't defend Donte' Stallworth. If anything, he's made it harder for you to get what you want. How can you argue for the right to defend the indefensible? You think Goodell was too hard on Stallworth, and you want the matter brought before an arbitrator? Yeah? Well, the other guy died.

You hope this has some positive future impact. You hope that this gets enough attention that the next time a pro athlete has too much to drink, he calls a cab. You hope that it gets through somebody's thick skull -- Hey, Stallworth went to jail, lost his license, got suspended for a whole year without pay. What's that Safe Ride number again?

You hope. Because so far not one single decent thing has come of Stallworth's decision to drive his car on March 14. For Stallworth, a lot of really crappy things have come of it. They're likely to continue, for the rest of his life, and as they do he's just going to have to keep his head down and take it.

Because no matter what else happens to Donte' Stallworth, he will forever have to live with the knowledge that, between him and Mario Reyes, he got off easy.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

8-13-2009 @ 11:45AM

daveenlakwood said...

no one's kids should ever being rooting for a guy who chose to drive drunk when he had millions for rides........ kids do not need to support a drunk driver period that killed a blue collar working man, ending his dreams forever.... and the comish shouldve ban him forever from his dream of playing football for millions of dollars. plain and simple..... my sister was hit by a drunk dentist and it messed up her whole life..... i don't feel a bit sorry for this killer. He had a warning when he was in a drug substance program, and guess what, he did not learn.... so he's not rehabitatable

8-13-2009 @ 11:59AM

magicmanpcre said...

AND REYES WASN'T AT FAULT IN ANY WAY? GET REAL! I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T RUN OUT IN FRONT OF A VEHICLE! IF YOU MISS THE BUS YOUR RUNNING FOR, I'M SURE ANOTHER WILL FOLLOW. STALLWORTH LOST HIS LICENSE FOR LIFE! IN SOME AREAS,UNLIKE CLEVELAND/ NEW YORK/ CHICAGO/ LOS ANGELES/ IF YOU DON'T DRIVE- YOUR SCREWED!

8-13-2009 @ 12:22PM

NoToRiOuS1inNY said...

Stallworth was drunk and speeding...he even said he flashed his lights. Why not break instead of flashing your lights. Do we even know if Reyes had the green to walk? He was probably already crossing and saw a speeding Stallworth too late. Even if Stallworth had the right of way, that doesn't mean he gets to keep driving. If there's a guy on the street crossing, even if he's not supposed to be, I'll try to stop...not keep going.

8-13-2009 @ 12:38PM

Frank said...

you're areal horse's ass.

8-13-2009 @ 3:20PM

JoeMC83 said...

Evidence shows that he was on the curb, moron.

8-13-2009 @ 9:15PM

tyrekyoung said...

intoxicated or not whatever happened to yielding to the pedestrian, whatever happened not speeding in a resedential area. I see people everyday speed down a pedestrian area driving over 40 miles an hour. Hello, kids runout in the street not thinking all the time. driving at a moderate rate will give you enough time to react and minimize damage done if you can not avoid hitting the person. To hit a person and kill them he had to be driving at an excessive speed. And I can't rely on anything that Stallworth says because (not because he may lie)his judgment in the condition that he was in was off. In his mind he probably felt that he could handle the vehicle or he could break or swerve and avoid the accident. Stallworth needs this time off to deal with the fact that he has taken a life and to battle whatever deamons that he has that is making him drink and drive.

8-13-2009 @ 12:37PM

doesnt matter where reyes was..... the drunk was drunk on alcohol and high on marajunia.... he had no business getting behind the wheel of a car.... and if you think you would get 30 days in jail for killing someone majicman, you must be living in Alice in Wonderlund..... you, me or anyone.... would be in the slammer a lot longer... enuff said.... i cant stand these idiots who dont think theres consequences to driving drunk and under drugs...

8-13-2009 @ 12:53PM

Thomas Buttrey said...

There will always be someone like magicmanpcre who attempts to push blame on anyone but the pro athlete no matter what the consequences. 24 days for killing a human was inexcuseable but a year off to think about it is the least Mr. Stallworth should do. Unfortunately not everyone thinks human life is valuable, ie. abortion, etc.

8-13-2009 @ 1:22PM

John Whichello said...

I read your article and can only say that I agree with what you wrote. For what it's worth he has paid very little and does not seem remorseful in the interviews that I saw.
It's a shameful way to act for anyone and I apoligize to the Reyes family for this tradgedy that they are being put through.
For the record Mr. Goodell was way too easy on him.
I too, hope that some other young man thinks before he acts when they are out partying and calls for a ride.

8-13-2009 @ 1:29PM

hognahelluo said...

Frankly I don't get why Leonard Little is still in the league. He's a repeat offender, even *after* he killed someone.

8-13-2009 @ 1:57PM

celtsic said...

Their is no excuse for driving under the influence and hitting and killing someone period. With that said I see people walking across the street without looking expecting even with attitude that the cars come to a screaching halt to allow them to cross. Is this right and should we debate who has the right of way? Wether it is or not the pedestrians who behave like this might end up the way this person did.....DEAD. Is it worth it? No. Should the person driving under the influence be held accountable? Yes. If he wasn't under the influence he might have still killed him because sometimes you just can't stop in time. Under the law you have to have complete control of your car at all times. But if you walk in front of the car you are not held responcible but may end up dead.

8-13-2009 @ 2:01PM

dheurt1 said...

He got drunk and killed an innocent man. He should be banned for life from his career in the NFL. The innocent bystander got banned for life just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

8-13-2009 @ 2:04PM

You are n idiot

8-13-2009 @ 2:23PM

Both Michael Vick and Donte Stallworth were living the dream life, and both felt the laws did not apply to them period. Micahel Vick didn't make just 1 mistake, he killed several dogs over and over again...Same with Stallworth, he was already in a drug abuse program.... and neither of these idiots cared about their second chances.... Both should be banned or protested if they ever take an NFL field again..... Michael Vick ended any chance for those dogs to survive time after time..... Stallworth killed a man who can never dream again..... and kids should never be rooting for this friggin kind of trash.... Mike Vicks wants a job let him puick up papers on the highway.... theres your second chance you damn idiot.... Staollworth wants a another chance have him clean toilets for the Reyes family and scrub their floors.... theres his 3rd chance..... this crap because their rich athletes they get the poor him crap excuse is bs.... and Tony Dungy is an idiot too going on tv and saying Vicks a changed man.... he was caught dudes....he would never have changed. Tony Dungy outta counsel kids that made no big mistakes and give them their chance at a dream.....Vick is trash and so is Stallworth..... my sister got hit by a drunk driver, then the idiot backed over her cause he was too drunk to no he hit a seven year old girl..... Fans like us will call sponsors and boycott their products and will gather thousands of signatures to make sure either idiot never gets a NFL dream again.

8-13-2009 @ 9:14PM

dude, I am sorry for your loss and your pain

8-13-2009 @ 3:18PM

krumpgirl said...

daveenlakwood....I understand your disdain for drunk drivers, I too had niece who was pararlyzed in a car accident from drunk drivers. I don't agree with your characterization of Tony Dungy. This man's integrity, honesty and credentials are impeccable. He would never put his credibility on the line in supporting Michael Vick if he didn't think some good could come of it. What is obvious is that your extreme ANGER has driven you to sound like a fool. Tony Dungy an "Idiot" do you know how ignorant that sounds? Have fun with your so-called "boycotts and petitions" at the end of the day they will mean absolutely NOTHING. Professional Football is big business, they get paid to win. Michael Vick will make ANY team better and the ratings will be through the roof. You might want to consider some counseling to deal with your hateful, anger issues. You really need to move on and not let the past continue to drag you down.

8-13-2009 @ 4:33PM

comdukakis said...

For all the self-righteous comments about Stallworth, ponder this for a moment: over 50% of Americans admit to driving drunk at least once. I'm better the percentage of football fans is even higher. So in essence we are ripping on a guy for doing what a majority of americans do, because he wasn't lucky like the other idiots who drive drunk. Drunk driving is never right and my wife's back problems are a testament to what happens when a jerk drives drunk. BUT...Stallworth has done everything right after the incident. he didn't hit and run, he apologized, made no excuses and has accepted every punishment and criticism without a harsh word back. Contrast that to Michael Vick or the excuse makers in baseball. So next time you scream on a message board about banning some drunk driver for life in sports, think about the number of times you or your buddy might have been close to the limit and whether you would have been so accepting of being fired from your job.

8-13-2009 @ 4:50PM

agselman3 said...

Mr.Graziano you jack ass , don't forget that the man ran out into the street into the path of the car.You people are freaking morons .

8-13-2009 @ 7:54PM

Why is it so important that criminals get a second dream in the NFL? Both these men committed felons.... As far as Tony Dungy, I'd respect him more if he went to help kids who didn't kill things. Krumpgirl if you killed dogs or killed a pedestrian cause you were drunk, do you think your job would keep you.... I highly doubt it... do you think Tony Dungy would've come to get your second chance back..... no, he wouldn't..... Michael Vick/ Donte Stallworth deserve no more chances at the dream life in the NFL.... their behavior was a matter of choice.... no one made Vick kill dog after dog.... he was the ringer leader that financed the deaths..... and Stallworth chose to drive not only drunk, but also under drugs.... Mr. Reyes has no more dreams lady, and i bet if it were your family member you wouldn't stupidity be supporting a convicted criminal getting an NFL career where our children beguin rooting for them. Tony Dungy wants to work with Vick god bless him, but the team that hires him will pay the huge price of backlash from the public.....it's painted as an innocent mistake by Tony Dungy.... this guy was killing dogs in cold blood, making money off the fights, and nottoo boot avoiding taxes.... he had a contract worth a 100 million dollars and chose to remain a thug.... he didn't give any dog a second chance did he.....no they were thrown in pits after being shot in the head......

8-13-2009 @ 10:52PM

jilleynwesley said...

He shouldn't ever be able to play football again! Drink and Drive Not!!! Childern look up to these guys and these players need to get clue. Drugs Drinking yea right lets make millions and get drunk and high get behind the wheel and drive.
Tell that to the victims family. Oh yea I hit your son, father, brother, husband but I'm looking to get my job back I DON'T THINK SO BUB

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