CLEVELAND, Ohio — Donte’ Stallworth will get the chance to resurrect his NFL career, but it won’t happen in Cleveland.
The Browns released the troubled wide receiver on Monday, wasting little time after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday that Stallworth would be reinstated following the Super Bowl.
Stallworth was suspended for the 2009 season by Goodell after he pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida. He spent 24 days in jail.
“I think he’s in a better place than he was,” Goodell said on Friday, adding that he met with Stallworth about a month ago. “I think he recognizes what he did and the horrific nature and the unfortunate outcome, and I think he’s prepared himself to get back in and play.”
Stallworth, 29, spent one season with the Browns, catching 17 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown in 2008 while battling injuries. A college star at Tennessee, he has also played with New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans since the Saints drafted him in the first round in 2002.
Browns coach Eric Mangini dodged questions about Stallworth’s future with the team throughout the season. Since then, Mike Holmgren took over as president of the Browns. The team released a one sentence statement on Monday stating Stallworth’s contract had been terminated.
Stallworth struck 59-year-old crane operator Mario Reyes the morning of March 14 in Miami. He pleaded guilty June 16 to DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and was suspended by Goodell two days later.
“I will carry the burden of Mr. Reyes’ death for the rest of my life,” Stallworth said in a statement at the time. “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.”
Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with Cleveland in 2008 and received a $4.5 million bonus the night before the crash.
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Comments » 23
knoxville_born writes:
Go get him Titans!!
Texassean writes:
Does he have any eligibility left for the Vols? :-)
HtownVol writes:
This was already known to happen.
Stallworth has had some good years until he totally screwed up. He can help a team (I liked him, but honestly he does not deserve a chance)
The basketball players caught heck for marijuana and a gun, Donte killed someone. Come on, if you are honest with yourself you know he does not deserve a chance.
Go Vols!
VolnAL writes:
Would you or I get to serve only 24 days? You bet not!
1pavolfan writes:
hope the colts pick him up. he won't quit on a route like Wayne did !!!!!! And yes Htown he does deserve another chance, it WAS an ACCIDENT !!! GO VOLS !!!
BluezVol writes:
Concur on Wayne's performance - it didn't seem like him at all. I heard after the game that he was battling an injury he suffered in SuperBowl practice. With him, Sanders out and Freeney playing substantially hurt, the Colts were playing uphill IMHO.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
DUMB
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
AND DUMBER
Orangelife writes:
What? Everyone deserves a second chance. Ya there's consequences for actions and DS said he will have to think about that night for the rest of his life. Someone needs to rethink their self...
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
My condolences go out to the family of Mario Reyes. None of them deserve the hell that Donte Stallworth put them through. That said, I am proud that Donte has recognized how heinous his actions were and accepted responsibility. I know a lot of people were up in arms about the slight punishment he received, but I think a lot of people discounted the financial needs of the Reyes family and Donte can't support that family if he isn't playing football...and that is a fact*.
Donte did a hell of a thing...but he accepted responsibility like a man. He didn't run from the scene of the accident. He didn't try to avoid prosecution and he has never tried to minimalize his actions.
Please don't read into this post that I am praising the actions of Donte Stallworth, rather I am holding up the things that he has done right. For some reason, when Donte says that he "will carry the burden of Mr. Reyes’ death for the rest of [his] life" it doesn't come off as a pampered celebrity saying the "right thing" at the behest of his attorney. I honestly think that Donte genuinely understands what he has done and for the sake of the Reyes family, I hope he continues to play football for as long as possible.
*For those of you unfamiliar with Donte's punishment, it is reliably speculated that he entered into an agreement to provide continuing financial support for the Reyes family, as Mr. Reyes had been the sole breadwinner in his household. His brief jail sentence was granted by the prosecutor in understanding of the need for Donte to remain a viable athlete.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Man I'm all Vol, but come on. I have known 2 people that have died from drunk drivers and I hope the fans never let him forget it. Or at least I hope his career never picks up steam again.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
Well , i guess its OK as long as he pays the family . He better be glad he didn't run over a dog .
huntined#565710 writes:
Bad thing all way around as no body wins in something like this. But he will land on a team and play again.
bobbytodd writes:
Can someone paraphrase this book for me? Anybody get through it all? Anybody?
paradisetaxi writes:
id hire him !
TommyJack writes:
Some people wouldn't be happy with anything less than the needle. Sad.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
He received $4 million plus the night before. That is plenty to keep a family going for life, he doesn't need to keep playing ball. He got his second chance by not going to prison, he should bear consequences of his action by never playing ball again.
TommyJack writes:
The man has a right to earn a living.
bobbytodd writes:
Get off your moral high ground people. The NFL is a business and is not a branch of the gov't. If he was drinking and driving he should rot in jail IMO. However, the family took a bribe and the gov't allowed them to do it. He is now a free man and should be allowed to be employed if a team will have him. Some of you are basically calling for him to be blacklisted. It had nothing to do with football.
Stepchild_nFL writes:
"$4.5 million bonus the night before the crash."
I now believe. I like Stallworth and if getting paid them kinda bucks for that kinda lesson there is a great devine.
I live in the Miami area and I might suggest that as many as half a dozen folks get run over every night but Stallworth made it famous.
Be reponsible when celebrating! Oh ****!!
whhotchkiss#650703 writes:
Let me make clear that in no way do I condone drunk driving and I think that Donte Stallworth made one of the worst decisions in the world getting behind that wheel.
Now, most people rush to judgement on this case without knowing all the facts. People are more forgiving in Knoxville since Donte is a Vol, but still a lot of people here say some things about his sentence that don't realize what happened.
The facts of the case are that Stallworth was driving with a blood alcohol level too high. Mr. Reyes, the man he hit, also had been drinking.
It was dark outside on a dimly lit street and Mr. Reyes rushed out in the middle of the street to try to catch a bus. He was jaywalking, not at an intersection.
The surveillance video showed that Stallworth basically had no chance of avoiding hitting Mr. Reyes, even if he had been sober, because Reyes darted out so suddenly and close to Stallworth's vehicle.
In addition, Stallworth stayed at the scene of the accident and called 911. He also reached a financial settlement with Reyes' family and they told the court that they forgave Stallworth for the accident.
Donte Stallworth made a terrible mistake driving drunk that ended tragically. But the circumstances of the accident (with which there was really no legal proof that Stallworth's being drunk affected the accident) combined with Stallworth's actions following the accident and the acceptance of Mr. Reyes' family are what led to his reduced sentence.
Couchdummy writes:
Absolutely correct! Some people forget that, by the grace of god, they could have been in a similar situation. I know that I put myself in the position to potentially commit the same offense when I was young. I think he is truthful when he says he will carry this with him the rest of his life. He should be shown some compassion.
wayoutwill writes:
I wonder why people don't understand that the guy that got killed wasn't a legal resident of the United States,therfore he shouldn't have been here to get killed,as far as that goes,Donte should not have served a single day.I don't see how it is a crime to kill accidently or otherwise any person that has come into our country illegally;they truthfully should be hunted down,imprisoned for life and made to work hard labor on our roadsides and parkways with a seventy pound ball and chain strapped to their ankle.We have let our country go to the dogs;this,of course,all started when that tyrant,abe lincoln,forced the CSA,to defend it's legal ways and means of producing and living--LONG LIVE THE SOUTH!
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