Stallworth Suspended The Entire 2009 Season Without Pay.

[SupaBwandin]

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Donte' Stallworth of the Cleveland Browns today that he is suspended without pay for the 2009 season for violating both the NFL's policy on substances of abuse and the personal conduct policy.

On June 16, Stallworth pled guilty to DUI/Manslaughter, a second degree felony in Florida, resulting from a March 14 incident in which he struck and killed a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Stallworth will be reinstated after the Super Bowl in February 2010. He may not participate in any team activity during the 2009 season.

Commissioner Goodell had suspended Stallworth indefinitely on June 18. On August 5, the Commissioner conducted a hearing and met in person with Stallworth, his representatives and NFLPA officials. He also met privately with Stallworth on August 10 at the player's request.

Following are excerpts from Commissioner Goodell's letter to Stallworth:

"As you recognized both at and following the hearing, guilt or innocence as a matter of criminal law is not the same as a violation of NFL policies. Here, longstanding league policies make clear that discipline is warranted "if a player is convicted of or admits to a violation of the law

[J-man]

If the Browns cut him, will the Ravens go after?

[Tighthead420]

[quote name='J-man' date='13 August 2009 - 11:05 AM' timestamp='1250175915' post='218367']
If the Browns cut him, will the Ravens go after?
[/quote]


Highly doubtful. But, sure enough, as soon as they do there will be a zillion Stallworth topics popping up around here.

[PuRock]

Wow! Well I see the NFL is making up for the lack of justice the courts provided.

He'll have plenty of time to feel remorse and reflect as to what he did.

[AwakenTheDemon]

So Stallworth Topics will be next year's Vick topics?

I'm not surprised to see him suspended for so long. When you do something like that as an NFL Player, you have to know Goodell is going to impose punishment on you. Because everyone knows how strict he is.

[J-man]

[quote name='Tighthead420' date='13 August 2009 - 11:22 AM' timestamp='1250176970' post='218373']
Highly doubtful. But, sure enough, as soon as they do there will be a zillion Stallworth topics popping up around here.
[/quote]

Just like all the Vick and Marshall threads? lol

[berad]

Can't say I'm surprised, he made a really stupid decision and now he's facing the consequences.

[RavensClaw52]

Some people view it as, well, the guy was crossing the road illegaly, personally i dont see it that way, Stallworth knew he had been drinking and shouldnt have been driving, its simple, did he think about the consequenses? No, i doubt most people do but because something did happen he deserves punishment and im glad Goodell is being so "harsh" on him, the court system sure wasnt

[MagicianCamille]

I'm impressed by this. I like that Goodell is holding players to a higher standard than guilty/not guilty. Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and it makes me feel better about the NFL as a whole to know players can't do whatever they want outside of it and still get their millions and spotlight.

I think a year is fair. Fact is, he shouldn't have been drinking and driving. It's a bad decision every time, it's careless, thoughtless, etc. While yes it's never smart to cross the street outside of a crosswalk, as I've said before, it's not a mistake you deserve to die for.

[jfc13]

[quote name='PuRock' date='13 August 2009 - 11:29 AM' timestamp='1250177350' post='218375']
Wow! Well I see the NFL is making up for the lack of justice the courts provided...

[/quote]
That sounds exactly like what happened and that isn't the NFL's job.

The NFL should have set consequences and dole them out fairly as to the crime, not to make up for what the court system lacks. So, if the courts had been harsher, he would have only been suspended a couple of games?

I don't know what is a fair NFL punishment for every crime, so this may have been reasonable without the comments about the court's decision, but the NFL should punish based on the crime and the rules of playing in the NFL, not whether the court systems did their job.

[Wacco4Flacco]

I agree with this punishment. Its like this,,If the Judges & Juries doesnt get them then Mr Goodell will.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

My take is that Stallworth made an extremely bad call to drive whilst over the limit; in saying this, I would give him another chance. I know he showed disregard, but unlike Michael Vick, Stallworth never intentionally hurt anyone. Again, I know his stupidity makes him entirely liable, but intent for me plays a huge part in how I perceive a criminal offense.