New York, NY (Sportsbooks) -
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, effective immediately.
On Tuesday, Stallworth received a 30-day jail sentence and a 10-year probation sentence as part of a reported plea agreement in a DUI manslaughter charge.
"The conduct reflected in (Stallworth's) guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable," said Goodell in a letter to Stallworth. "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."
Stallworth had initially pleaded not guilty on June 4 and was facing a sentence of 4-to-15 years in prison if convicted on the charge, which stems from an accident on March 14 when he struck and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle.
In addition to the jail time and probation, the Miami Herald reports that Stallworth will also have to perform 1,000 hours of community service and serve two years of his probation term in house arrest. He will also lose his driving privileges for the rest of his life.
"There is no reasonable dispute that (Stallworth's) continued eligibility for participation at this time would undermine the integrity of and public confidence in our league," Goodell said. "Accordingly, I have decided to suspend (Stallworth) indefinitely, effective immediately. In due course, we will contact (Stallworth's) representatives to schedule a meeting...after which I will make a final determination on discipline. Pending my final determination, (Stallworth) will not be permitted to visit the club's facility or participate in any team activities."
According to reports from the Herald, Stallworth drove his Bentley around a stopped vehicle to beat a red light and struck 59-year old Mario Reyes, who was walking to a bus stop from work as an overnight crane operator.
Stallworth's blood alcohol level was .126 -- above Florida's legal limit of .08 -- at the time of the accident. Goodell noted that he could have suspended him under either the league's personal conduct policy or its substance abuse policy.
"In this case, there is ample evidence to warrant significant discipline under both policies," Goodell stated.
Stallworth joined the Browns for the 2008 season as a free agent and caught a career-low 17 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown in just 11 games. He was hampered by a quadriceps injury for much of the season.
