Stallworth Reinstated by NFL a Year After DUI Manslaughter

Donte Stallworth, former wide received for the New England Patriots, has been reinstated by the NFL.  This ends a one-year suspension, triggered by a DUI manslaughter case last summer that killed a pedestrian in Miami Beach, FL.  Stallworth served a 30-day jail sentence for the incident.  Stallwoth reportedly is willing to play for any of the NFL's 32 teams and his agent expects he will sign "in the next couple of weeks at the latest." 

 

Donte Stallworth Kills a Man While Driving Drunk and Gets Just 24 Days in Jail

News that Donte Stallworth of the Cleveland Browns received a 24 day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI Manslaughter has left many people shocked and confused.  According to reports, Stallworth, 28, left what has been described as a swanky night club in Miami, Florida, got into his Bentley, drove away and was involved in an accident which killed Mario Reyes.  Many believe a 24 day jail sentence for driving drunk and being involved in an accident in which a person was killed seems unreasonably lenient, and a recent ESPN poll indicates 64% of fans would not feel comfortable cheering for Stallworth.  Stallworth's sentence is especially shocking considering NFL Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress is facing a mandatory 3 1/2 year sentence for simply carrying an unlicensed weapon and former NFL Quarterback Michael Vick received 23 months in prison for involvement in dog fighting - neither of which involved any harm to another human being.  Did Stallworth receive special treatment?  We will never know.  Interestingly, Stallworth also entered into a confidential financial settlement to avoid a lawsuit stemming from the killing - and one can't help but wonder whether he bought his way out of a longer sentence.