NFL Suspends Player for His Involvement in Drunk Driving Death | Dallas, Texas Personal Injury Attorney Blog

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has announced that the NFL is suspending Cleveland Brown’s wide receiver Donte Stallworth indefinitely just days after he pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Stallworth, 28, pleaded guilty in a Florida court Tuesday to DUI manslaughter charges in the March death of construction worker Mario Reyes. Under terms of a plea agreement, he will serve 30 days. Prosecutors said he began serving his sentence immediately.

“The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told Stallworth in a letter. The letter also added, “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.”

Under terms of Stallworth’s plea agreement, he will face two years of house arrest upon his release. He is also required to donate $2,500 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, serve eight years of probation and submit to random drug and alcohol testing throughout his probation. His driver’s license was permanently revoked.

Mother’s Against Drunk Driving applauded the move by Commissioner Goodell, but noted that the criminal justice system which only imposed a 30 day sentence for a drunk driving incident that resulted in a death, missed the mark and shows that every state needs tougher laws to discourage drunk driving. A copy of the press release from MADD concerning this incident is attached to this post.

At Montes Law Group, P.C., we support MADD’s fight against drunk driving. Do not wait until you or your loved one is a victim of a drunk driving incident. Join MADD, and join the fight to prevent further tragedies caused by drunk driving.

and the NFL for sending the clear message the court missed in the Stallworth case: drunk driving is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Commissioner Goodell’s leadership is an example to the nation.