NEW YORK (AP) — Donte’ Stallworth will get out of jail in four weeks. Now it’s up to Roger Goodell to say
when the Cleveland Browns receiver can return to the field.
Stallworth was indefinitely suspended by the NFL commissioner Thursday, two days after he began a 30-day
jail sentence for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Miami.
In a letter to Stallworth, Goodell said Thursday the player’s actions caused "irreparable
harm." He will not be paid while suspended.
Stallworth 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, the 28-year-old Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on
probation. The house arrest provisions would allow him to play.
"The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was
inexcusable," Goodell wrote. "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."
In the letter, excerpts of which were released by the NFL, Goodell said he will eventually contact
Stallworth’s representatives before determining the length of the suspension.
Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis said the team would comment later.
The last indefinite suspension by Goodell was of Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Dallas Cowboys in
October 2008. The suspension later became a six-week ban.
After a night of 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.
Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level well above Florida’s legal limit. He stopped after the crash and
reported the accident. Police estimated Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle cited Stallworth’s cooperation and willingness to
accept responsibility as factors in the plea deal. Rundle also said the Reyes family — particularly the
victim’s 15-year-old daughter — wanted the case resolved to avoid any more pain.