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Prof Points – What’s bugging me about sports this week; NFL players’ prison sentences

July 8, 2009 6:32 am 0 comments Views: 1

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Last week, Cleveland Brown’s wide receiver Donte Stallworth was suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he pleaded guilty to DUI and manslaughter charges.

Being unable to play professional football is perhaps the harshest sentence Stallworth has received since the incident back in March, when Stallworth, with a BAC of .12 (Florida’s legal limit is .08), killed a pedestrian in Miami Beach.

Stallworth pleaded guilty and was given a 30-day jail sentence, as well as community service, two years’ house arrest and eight years probation.

According to the Associated Press, Stallworth reportedly has agreed on some form of disclosed financial settlement with the victim’s family. But since when is money and 30 days in jail a proper punishment for murder?

Football players and their legal woes leads me to bring up Michael Vick, another prominent NFL star who temporarily halted his career after being involved with dog fighting and illegal gambling. Vick received a 23-month jail sentence for his crimes, but since being released, he still has a decent shot at returned to the NFL.

It seems as if something is wrong here. While Vick’s actions were horrific and unacceptable, how could Stallworth’s sentence be more forgiving?

Stallworth’s light sentence is another example of wealthy pro athletes getting off easy in the legal system. This is both disconcerting to sports fans, as well as those who aren’t.

At least Goodell has enough integrity to suspend Stallworth from playing football indefinitely; it’s a sign that the league may have had it with players who misbehave.

With Vick’s return to the NFL getting more and more likely each season, I can’t help but wonder just how long Goodell will keep Stallworth from putting a uniform back on.

Written by: MattShanley on July 8, 2009.

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