Cleveland Brown’s Wide Receiver Suspended

August 17, 2009

The wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, Donte Stallworth, was recently suspended from the 2009 season for causing an accident while driving drunk. Stallworth had been drinking at a hotel bar near Miami Beach before the accident. He crashed his Bentley into a pedestrian, 59-year-old construction worker, and killed him instantly.

Tests showed that Stallworth’s BAC level was .126, much higher than the legal limit of .08. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the death of the construction worker and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years of house arrest, eight years of probation, and 1,000 hours of community service.

Before the 2008 season, Stallworth had signed a $35 million contract for the 2008 season. However, because he violated the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies, he was suspended without pay for the remainder of the season. He was chastised because he did not use the “safe rides” program that is offered to NFL players and employees.