On March 14, 2009 in Miami Florida, Dante Stallworth, an NFL wide receiver, hit and killed Mario Reyes, a 59 year old construction worker.  Reyes was walking to a bus station after work when Stallworth driving a Bentley Continental struck him.  When tested, Stallworth’s blood alcohol level (BAL) was 0.12; this is fifty percent higher than the Florida state limit of 0.08.  As a result, Stallworth was charged with Drinking Under the Influence (DUI) and second degree manslaughter in Florida.  While the accident is still under investigation, Stallworth is on 200,000 dollars bail.  

Stallworth has a history of NFL teams “giving up” on him.  Originally drafted in the first round by the New Orleans Saints, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a linebacker and a conditional forth round pick (Bust!).  Hamstring injuries as well as substance abuse hampered his play in Philadelphia.  Next, he joined the New England Patriots and signed an incentive based 6 year 30 million dollar contract.  However, he couldn’t cut it and was released.  But shortly before the accident, the Cleveland Browns signed him to a 7 year 35 million dollar deal!   Then, Stallworth went from ‘Hero to Zero!’

In many jurisdictions a DUI charge is punishable with jail time, large fines, enrollment in DUI programs, and even the installation of “ignition interlock” devices.  Drunk driving is considered a felony in several states if there is a direct correlation to an accident resulting in “great” harm.  Under Florida Law Stallworth serves DUI punishment depending on the number of prior offences.  One form of punishment is monetary.  A first conviction: not less than $500, or more than $1,000. A second conviction: not less than $1,000, or more than $2,000 and so on… Other forms of punishment include community service, prohibition, impoundment of the vehicle, and imprisonment.   

Here, the more severe punishment will most likely come from the second degree manslaughter charges.  Under the 2008 Florida Statues, Stallworth faces up to 15 years in prison and a 10,000 dollar fine- plus court costs.  The exact punishment Stallworth faces depends on: whether he seeks a trial by jury or arranges a plea bargain (thus pleading guilty or no contest). In the later case, the time he is likely to receive depends on negotiations between his defense lawyer and the prosecutor (regarding evidence, like the BAL test, etc.), and the leniency of the judge when sentencing.  For info on FL State law, www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0775/Sec082.HTM.

Perhaps the greatest punishment Stallworth faces for drinking and driving comes from the fact that he killed a man as a result of his irresponsibility. 

Stallworth’s NFL career has been one of repeated disappointment.  As a promising player, team after team offered him chance after chance to live up to his potential.  Unlike former teammate Randy Moss, Stallworth did not reinvent himself due to off-field irresponsibility.  Bouts with drug abuse and alcohol dependency landed Stallworth in rehabilitation.  Stallworth’s previous problems pale in comparison to his current DUI and manslaughter charges.  Stallworth’s story: god-given talent and the disappointment of not living up to that talent.  With better decisions, he would have become the man fans believed he could be.  In the Stallworth story, the decision of driving when intoxicated cost one man his life and another man his freedom.