Cleveland Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth was indefinitely suspended by the NFL on Thursday for driving drunk and killing a pedestrian in Miami.
“The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter to Stallworth.
“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,” Goodell said.
Stallworth, who will not be paid during the suspension, (NOT ANOTHER BANKRUPTCY BY A MILLION DOLLAR FOOTBALL PLAYER) pleaded guilty this month to a DUI manslaughter charge for striking Mario Reyes on March 14. He began serving a 30-day jail sentence Tuesday and has reached a financial settlement with the family of the 59-year-old construction worker.
After jail, Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation. The house arrest provisions would allow him to play.
Goodell said that, eventually, he would contact Stallworth’s representatives before determining the length of the suspension.
“There is no reasonable dispute that your continued eligibility for participation at this time would undermine the integrity of and public confidence in our league,” Goodell said.
Browns general manager George Kokinis said in a statement: “We support the action taken by the commissioner today and will continue to work closely with the league regarding this matter.”
The NFL Players Association had no comment.
After a night drinking at a bar in Miami Beach’s Fountainebleau hotel, police said Stallworth hit Reyes, who was rushing to catch a bus after finishing work about 7:15 a.m. Stallworth told police he flashed his lights in an attempt to warn Reyes, who was not in a crosswalk when struck.
Stallworth, who stopped after the crash and reported the accident, had a blood-alcohol level well above Florida’s legal limit. Police estimated Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone
Stallworth must undergo drug and alcohol testing. His driver’s license was suspended for life and he must perform 1,000 hours of community service.
The night before the crash, Stallworth earned a $4.5 million roster bonus from the Browns, whose offseason moves indicated they were not counting on him.
