Donte’ Stallworth a University of Tennessee football player (in the SEC where players, teams, and coaches are as dirty Mexican law enforcement), in 2002 was drafted in the 1st round at the 13th pick by the New Orleans Saints, then in 2006 he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, soon thereafter On March 11, 2007, Stallworth agreed to terms with the New England Patriots on a reported six-year deal worth $30 million with $3.5 million guaranteed, finally, on March 1, 2008, Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Not too long ago Stallworth was celebrating on South Beach heavily with his peeps because his multimillion dollar bonus kicked in. Stallworth drank that Native American fire water and puffed the “Magic Dragon” big time, and on the morning of March 14, 2009, a 2005 Bentley sedan driven by Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian in Miami Beach, Florida. Stallworth was headed toward the beach when he hit Mario Reyes, 59!
Stallworth admitted to drinking the night prior to the accident. News sources reported that his blood alcohol content was 0.12, over Florida's legal limit of 0.08. Stallworth claims that he flashed his car's headlights to warn Reyes before striking him. A Miami Beach police report said Reyes was not in a crosswalk on busy MacArthur Causeway when he was struck by the black 2005 Bentley driven by Stallworth. Police estimated Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone. The construction crane operator was trying to catch a bus home after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m.
Stallworth was charged with DUI and second degree manslaughter on April 1, 2009; he surrendered to police on April 2, 2009 and was released on $200,000 bail.
After learning, of this incident and hearing that Stallworth drove drunk and killed someone, I was discussing the incident with a few people in my apartment and stated to my homeboy from Nashville, “mark my words this guy will get less time than Michael Vick.” The reasoning behind centered on the fact Vick seemingly got a sentencing that was disproportionate to the crime committed. And, the huge fact that cannot go unnoticed that people are envious of these professional athletes. These athletes make too much money and are more important than US. I’ll repeat, these athletes are more important than us and they supposedly shouldn’t be. They make too much money and are thugs, idiots, and much more or much less whichever way you are looking at it. So, OF COURSE Vick was doomed. He fits all the negative criteria. Plus, we love our doggies.
The Curious Case
So…Stallworth pleaded guilty, and received a sentence of 30 days in jail, plus 1,000 hours of community service, 2 years of house arrest, and 8 years probation. He has also received a life-time suspension of his driver's license. In addition to that, the Associated Press reported on June 16, 2009, that Stallworth and the Reyes family reached a financial agreement, avoiding a civil lawsuit. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed. Needless to say, it was probably a Tony Montana-like truck full of moolah.
Sounds like Stallworth got off easy right? But as my FSU man Corso says, not so fast my friend. Florida law mandates that one can actually be drunk but not responsible for an accident. For example, as my mentor LeBatard states, if someone falls out of a building and lands on a drunk drivers car the drunk driver is not necessarily responsible? Would the event not have happened anyway? Could and would the same thing not happen to a sober driver? And, what if someone were to run across the busiest intersection in the world and get hit by a driver drunk or sober? This legally was at play here. Reyes was crossing a busy Miami Causeway and was legally somewhat responsible. Classic blame the victim scenario this is. However, this is not with a normal person or circumstance, but rather this is with someone who was clearly under the influence of “stuff.” Plus, he is a rich athlete on South Beach. Lord only knows what happened the night before. (Real talk…I’ve seen and known of crazier stuff that happened at my college and to me and my buddies). That being said is it not reasonable to argue that if Stallworth were not legally drunk, he could have maybe avoided hitting the pedestrian caused less damage? We’ll never know. You can’t know.
Aftermath
Stallworth fortunately receives 30 days in jail, plus 1,000 hours of community service, 2 years of house arrest, 8 years probation, and has received a life-time suspension of his driver's license. However, he is an exceptionally rich man. So, while his conscience will undoubtedly be heavy with guilt, remorse, and sadness, it will be in a million dollar houses and with his driver that he probably already should have on his staff. And, he has enough money that he doesn’t have to REALLY work again. But, he also is an athlete and is accustomed to a certain lifestyle.
Perspective
The guy that stole Lance Armstrong’s bicycle received 3 years in jail.
Ray Lewis was accused of murdering someone, but pleaded to a lesser offense, received no NFL suspension, and currently lives his life like nothing happened.
Matt Jones was caught with cocaine and marijuana multiple times, had no “real” jail time and received a 3 game suspension from the NFL.
Shawne Merriman was suspended by the league for using steroids, but, he did not miss any other games. Are steroids not a big deal? It’s buying drugs from a DRUG DEALER and breaking the rules and cheating. So, I guy that has the nickname “lights out” from giving 3 different players concussions in one game takes steroids and gets only the mandatory suspension and then goes to the Pro Bowl and wins awards.
Adam “Pacman” Jones a true true knucklehead was connected to a Las Vegas shooting, noted gang members, drugs, many crimes, and has been in police custody quite a few times, but has never had “true” jail time. But, he was suspended by Roger Goodell for a year.
Lastly, Michael Vick bankrolled a pit-bull dog fighting operation and killed and abused dogs heinously for quite a long time (allegedly years). He received 19x the sentence of Stallworth.
Michael Vick received a sentence 19 TIMES AS LONG as that of Stallworth. Indeed, Vick’s missteps were calculated, repeated, egregious, and over a long period of time and he was not very honest and forthright throughout the process and received poor counsel, but he still was not irresponsibly driving drunk and killing another human being. Is it reasonable for Vick to have a mentality of “hey I’ll do this to dogs, but never something horrible to human beings?” “Man, I am drunk as a skunk, I’m not driving home.” This is pure speculation…but still.
In a vacuum and in its most simplistic form, you would THINK that the two scenarios would play out differently. Right? However, that vacuum does not exist. And, there are qualitative things at play here.
Good ol Roger aka Goodell
Roger Goodell PROBABLY means well, but he is ridiculous. He arbitrarily suspends people for their crimes and/or missteps. He makes the rules up as he goes along. He is like my Cousin Vinny who does not understand the rules of a binary scale. My cousin Vinny also is THAT GUY who buys houses and hotels in Milton Bradley’s Monopoly on credit…on credit. You just can’t do that. That’s just not right. Look at the economy. SHEESH!
The law makes its decision and Goodell makes his decision which is often times harsher. His personal conduct policy is for repeat offenders aka problem childs. Goodell is omnipotent. He has no checks and balances. He is the final say. Goodell is a walking, living explanation for the failing of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Why should he have THAT much power? Why not have an outside arbiter or someone who does not have anything at stake or someone who will actually look at the player’s side (ala the NFLPA).
It is not about defending “knuckle headed” athletes, but if the Constitution and law that we all have to live by makes a decision should that be enough? Before we get too too far into this, let’s get the first and most important think straight, Stallworth should be suspended, he displayed ridiculously, irresponsible behavior and now someone is dead, but if the victim’s family accepts his apology, agrees to a settlement, and the Florida law mandates a sentence, who are we? Who is Goodell? What punishment is enough? How do you fairly decide on a punishment? Should it be lifetime? Should it be 8 games? Should it be a season? Should be a Manny Ramirez like 33% or so off, but allow him to practice? How do you decide? Just let Goodell “do the right thing.” Right?
The Curious Case of Donte’ Stallworth and Conundrums
How much time will Stallworth be out of the league? And, will it be worse than what the law dictates? Should Vick be suspended for more time even though he has already lost a considerable portion of his wealth, filed for bankruptcy, been away from the game for 2 plus years? And, if he does get suspended, how much time should he get? And, more importantly is that fair? How much time should these athletes get? And, is it fair that one man can pick and choose whom to punish. Stallworth is not a repeat offender. So, technically he does not violate the personal conduct policy. In addition to that is Vick a true repeat offender? And, the Plax (he’s not a repeat offender either, but will be suspended). It’s all about the precedent that has been set and the arbitrariness of Goodell.
Is it fair or reasonable?
Goodell should not be applauded? He is doing the easy thing. Suspend someone that gets in trouble to make himself look good. The suspensions are not detracting athletes from their behavior and people are STILL going to games and the NFL is as profitable as ever. Let’s have another game in London and maybe Canada too! K?
To close here’s a nice quote from NYDaily news below.
“I believe the sentence given to Mr. Stallworth undermines the fight for justice for victims of vehicular crimes. I believe it undermines the public's perception of fairness in the criminal justice system. Whether it is accurate or not, this sentence gives the appearance that another wealthy celebrity was given tremendous leniency.”
What does Sportynation think?
Sporty nation, this is my minority report.
