There are plenty of times where I wonder where society is headed. From reality television to the fact that Michael Jackson’s death completely overshadowed everything going on in the world – including major troop movements in Iraq and the ongoing Iran election saga – it seems like things are always slowly falling apart.
But then there are moments where no wondering is needed, where only frustration and anger and sadness apply. One of those moments took place this morning, when Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth was released from jail.
In case you don’t remember, Stallworth, who signed a seven-year, $35 million contract last summer, was convicted of DUI manslaughter after running down Mario Reyes, a 59-year-old man in the early morning hours of March 14 in Miami, after spending the night drinking at one of the famous clubs in South Beach. However, Stallworth managed just 24 days in jail – 24! – for killing a man through carelessness.
It’s not like this is an isolated incident. We constantly see athletes getting away with things mere mortals couldn’t imagine escaping from. St. Louis Rams defensive end Leonard Little also ran down a woman drunk, and was given 90 days in jail and four years probation, only to be arrested for drunk driving again later and get no jail time. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis wasn’t suspended for a single game after pleading guilty to obstructing justice in a murder investigation.
The list goes on and on, but the point remains the same: athletes, because of the money in their pockets, are held to a different standard than the rest of us.
The most depressing part of this whole case, even more than athletes getting off easy, is the fact that Stallworth could kill a man and spend so little time behind bars. Michael Vick, after being convicted of various dogfighting charges, spent 23 months behind bars. That’s not to condone what Vick did; clearly the actions he was involved in with respect to the dogfighting ring were reprehensible.
But do you mean to tell me that being involved in a dogfighting ring should have a 20 times stronger punishment than running someone down in your car while drunk? In what world does that make sense? Teams will refuse to sign Vick because they will be afraid of the repercussions from PETA and other crazed animal rights groups about his actions. Will the Browns have the same fears about Stallworth and cut him whenever his suspension from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has ended?
We all know the answer to that question. Stallworth will keep his job, and will probably be playing sometime this year in Cleveland, and the fans in the Dawg Pound will celebrate just as wildly if he catches a touchdown pass as they would have before, just like Rams fans go wild when Little sacks the quarterback and Ravens fans do likewise when Lewis makes one of his bone-jarring hits on a ball carrier.
Imagine, though, if those fans cheering Stallworth looked up at the Jumbotron and instead of a seeing a replay, simply saw a photo of Mario Reyes. What would they think then?
Not to sound like a sports fan, but this wasn’t a slam-dunk case. Stallworth could’ve gone to trial and have been found not guilty. There’s no proof that the fact he was impaired caused the accident. Don’t forget, it was daybreak, and the victim was jaywalking in a busy intersection, where you don’t expect to see people. I think the prosecution was thrilled it got a plea deal on this one. Check out Florida law… This case was a tough one.
Jill pretty much nailed it here, but I’ll add my two cents. A few things that need to be remembered: Stallworth cooperated with all authorities involved immediately and throughout all the entire process. He did not leave the scene, like Little, and he was upfront and honest throughout, unlike Vick. Also, this was a plea deal, not a judgment handed down from a jury. It was agreed upon between both sides, which says a lot.
It may have only been 24 days in jail, but lets not forgot the two years on house arrest, eight years probation, permanent termination of his drivers license, and an undisclosed amount of money paid to the victims family.
I am not condoning Stallworth, but I think the outcry over time spent in jail is pretty much an overreaction. As far as him catching touchdown passes in Cleveland this year, I wouldn’t count on it. Donte’ will either be cut, or find a way to acquire a season ending injury while he is serving his league suspension.