The legal system, along with the family of the victim, might have thought that a month in stir was enough punishment for Donte Stallworth, but Roger Goodell thinks otherwise.
Indefinite suspension was the word from the NFL commissioner. But not the only word.
“The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable,” Goodell said in a letter to Stallworth, who in March killed a 59-year-old man while driving drunk. “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.”
"There is no reasonable dispute that your continued eligibility for participation at this time would undermine the integrity of and public confidence in our league," he said.
Alcohol-related misconduct continues to be a problem for the league, and Goodell not only came down on Stallworth, he wrote a memo to all 32 teams stressing that “DUI is a serious matter which poses great risks to both those who drive under the influence, and innocent third parties.”
"In the past few years,” Goodell said, “I have not hesitated to impose discipline, including suspensions, on club and league employees who have violated the law relating to alcohol use. Every club should advise its employees of their obligations and our commitment to hold people accountable for alcohol-related violations of law.”
With his indefinite suspension of Stallworth, Goodell has sent a message. The question is, will it be heard?
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