Espn.com is reporting that Cleveland Brownds receiver Donte Stallworth was suspended by the NFL indefinitely without pay following his guilty plea to DUI manslaughter in the death of Mario Reyes, the league announced Thursday.
Stallworth was sentenced in a Miami court Tuesday (Jun. 16) to 30 days in jail, a controversial ruling that drew a great deal of criticism.
Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a detailed letter to Stallworth explaining the stiff penalty levied by the league.
“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 the 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.”
The suspension is effective immediately, but Goodell still plans to schedule a meeting with Stallworth to determine the length of the suspension. But now it appears the team will have no choice but to cut ties with the seven-year veteran.
Stallworth’s lawyer, David Cornwell, released a statement late Thursday expressing confidence that Goodell would take Stallworth’s acceptance of responsibility, and his cooperation with authorities and the family, into consideration.
“Consistent with the wishes of Mr. Reyes’ family not to relive a tragedy through the public scrutiny of criminal and civil trials, we look forward to addressing these matters privately with commissioner Goodell,” Cornwell said. “When [Roger Goodell] has the opportunity to review the ‘unique facts involved,’ … we fully anticipate that the factors that supported the ‘just resolution’ of the criminal matter will be equally persuasive with Commissioner Goodell.”
The last indefinite suspension handed down by Goodell was to Adam “Pacman” Jones of the Dallas Cowboys in October 2008. That punishment turned into a six-week ban.
Information from Espn.com and The Associated Press contributed to this report.