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Many have felt that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth may have got off easy after killing a pedestrian while driving drunk, but the NFL aren't so lenient. While Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in prison and is on probation for awhile, the NFL suspended Stall worth for the entire upcoming season without pay."Your conduct endangered yourself and others, leading to the death of an innocent man," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to Stallworth released by the league according to NFL.com. "The NFL and NFL players must live with the stain that you have placed on their reputations. As you recognized both at and following the hearing, guilt or innocence as a matter of criminal law is not the same as a violation of NFL policies."
In response to Goodell's decision and his letter, Stallworth expressed his disappointment but urged fans not to judge or stereotype NFL players because of his actions.
"Commissioner Goodell called me this morning," Stallworth said in a statement. "Obviously, I am disappointed, but, as I said previously, I accept the Commissioner's decision. Regardless of the length of my suspension, I will carry the burden of Mr. Reyes' death for the rest of my life. I urge NFL fans not to judge NFL players or me based on my tragic lapse in judgment. I am a good person who did a bad thing. I will use the period of my suspension to reflect, fulfill my obligations, and use this experience to make a positive impact on the lives of those who look up to NFL players."
In 2008, Stallworth signed a seven-year $35 million contract with the Browns, hoping that he would take pressure off the team's star receiver, Braylon Edwards. Stallworth struggled with injuries during most of the season, so his contributions to the team were limited. He will lose approximately $745,000 in the 2009 season. Do you agree with the NFL's decision?
Comments: (14)
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By: soraya on 8/13/2009 4:41PM
He needs to challenge this.
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By: tucker on 8/13/2009 8:07PM
sometimes tough love is needed mr. stallworth's accident did cause the lose of a life if the shoe was on the other foot how would he-stallworth react.
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By: ellie on 8/13/2009 8:47PM
I hope the young man saved some money for this rainy day. He might want to consider giving up drink.
I hope he uses his time constuctively, maybe go back to school and either finish up a degree or get a higher degree.
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By: Rodd on 8/14/2009 1:08PM
unfortunately, a lot more players than you think do not graduate college and don't understand the ramifications of not doing so until it's too late. I am constantly educating players and their families about how the NFL "REALLY" operates having grown up in it my entire life.
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By: Ms. Unique on 8/18/2009 12:20PM
Ellie,
A lot of player do finish college and have their ISH together. There may be some that don't and there are those that do back. So please, stop being ignorant? There are a lot of educated black athletes and athletes of all color in the NFL.
As far as the drinking, hopefully he can get some help and turn this negative into a positive to help other people who get behind the wheel. It's not like he was an alcoholic? I understand he caused a life a man and I am sorry it happened. My prayers are with that man's family. We all need to forgive, give this man a second chance, let him get the help he needs, pay for his crime, and move on. I feel the Commissioner's comments and suspension was HARSH! It's not like Donte' killed the man intentionally! This was a tragedy and I am sure he feels bad enough inside. Every time a black athlete commits a crime or a lesser crime the media bashes him and blows everything out of proportion. That is my opinion on how I see things against white and black athletes. They both don't get EQUAL COVERAGE! Let's pray for Donte' and the victim's family, forgive, heal, and move on!
Once again, AOL why did you delete my comment? What did I say in my comment that was wrong? Be fare to all.
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By: Ellie on 8/14/2009 2:22PM
Unfortunately, Rodd, I'm not surprised at the number of players who either do not graduate or graduate with "busy work" degrees. These young men are seen as commodities and money makers by their colleges and the NFL; their personal well-being is of no concern.
It is unfortunate that Mr.Stallworth has come by his free time in this fashion, but while he is taking stock of his life, I hope education figures into the equation. He should look at more education if for no other reason than he has no idea what a year of not playing will do to his skill level and he needs to start planning for a life after pro-ball. He has the time now to look at his life and make some changes and some plans. This time will also tell him who his real friends are and who to get out ofhis life.
He appears to be a good guy who made a horrible mistake but he doesn't have to let it be the defining episode of his life.
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By: Chris on 8/15/2009 5:12PM
He is lucky that he is a celebrity with a lot of money with good lawyers because if this had happen in california, the courts would have gave him years in jail and not 30 days. Because if this was a regular black male,there is no way in the world the courts would give him 30 days with probation plus a AA rehab, It would be 30 years to life in prison. And speaking about education, In todays world their is well none high profile entertainers who left college to pursue their dreams, but it paid off for most of them, Alisha keys, Kanyea West, and many more. But look whats happening in the united states right now the way the economy is going with job layoff's and all across the globe, even a college degree don't make you rich. They made the right choice when the opportunity was there. These celebrities are taking online classes to finish their degrees where they can stay out the publics eye. So, if they wanted to finish their education, the opportunity is there. Even people with degrees are working for minimum wage and with the new grads that are getting their degrees, it's tough enough for those people out there to find work because of the high volume of competition with other grads thats out there. Right now the people who have good jobs are the people with trades, employers are taking people with a "trades" faster then a college university graduate. Why ? Because they have hands on experience the field that they specialize in and in a shorter period of time plus externship hours, and international cert. and/or Degree quailifications from a accredited vocational colleges. The way the economy is going right now, I'd rather be in the celebrities position with money first and work on my degree at the same time or later.
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By: DCS on 8/15/2009 8:24PM
Soraya,
I agree with your comment that Stallworth needs to challenge this. Now before anyone gets in a tizzy, I do not condone his driving while drunk and I pray for the family that lost their loved one. Nevertheless, Mr. Stallworth has been the first athlete in a long, long time that repented for his sins from the beginning. He was very, very remorseful while not leaving the scene of the accident. Yes, he needs to be punished, but for the whole season? I don't know that is a tough one to call since I am not the commissioner.
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By: lmonta on 8/16/2009 7:34PM
Let me get this straight, this guys kills a human being and gets thirty days in jail and Micheal Vick kills some dogs and he got all that time he got. Where is the outcry from peta.
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By: Ellie on 8/18/2009 2:37PM
If you had read my comment correctly, you'd have noticed that I said "finish a degree or get a higher degree".
The only ignorance that I see on this comment page is your name calling because someone doesn't quite agree with you; and since you didn't read it correctly, who knows maybe we agreed. But at any rate, I'll not spend another moment of my time trying to get you read a piece thoroughly before you call names. Have a good day.
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