Most Pro Athletes Are Given Free Pass, Like Josh Brent, For Example

On the day the Dallas Cowboys paid tribute to the fallen Jerry Brown with a No. 53 decal on the back of helmets and held a moment of silence before the game, Josh Brent was invited to join the team on the sideline Sunday as if he's done nothing wrong.

There's a side of me that just didn't feel right about him being present. There's a side of me that feels this was wrong, though Brown's mother forgives Brent, a third-year defensive tackle, who selfishly took the life of a man who was not just a teammate but a friend. There's a side of me that makes me frown and shake my head in shame after seeing him on the sideline when he was responsible for the alcohol-related, one-car accident that killed Brown. In other words, Brent should not have been on the sideline for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. He was spending time locked up, but walked out of jail in Irving, Texas, barefooted after his release on $500,000 bond.

There's no way, just no way in hell.

Rather than honoring the fallen linebacker with Brent on the sideline as an awkward tribute and allowing him to even step foot onto the premises, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones should have mandated that he stay away from the team until further notice, until the healing process shrivel or until Brent's verdict. It's time to stop supporting those who commit crimes. And just because Brown's mother doesn't want Brent prosecuted after he was charged with intoxication manslaughter for her son's death, it's not what she or anybody else wants. It's what's right. Right is right. Wrong is wrong.

Brent, whose blood-alcohol level measured at 0.18 reportedly, was more than double the legal limit in Texas. So while the Cowboys are willing to stand by someone who perpetrated this senseless act, Brent could still face a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted. He's the epitome of athletes and celebrities getting away with crimes, a glaring image of what's seen so often in today's world. Money and fame defeats the court of law. Money and fame protects celebrities. Money and fame don't bring justice, but more problems within itself. At this point, it's not about ethics and moral values.

There are, for those who are unaware of our troubled society and how a biased justice system functions nowadays, no hidden agendas for famous people in the sports or entertainment industry. So of course, as a public figure and not an ordinary citizen, Brent can show his face in public and could potentially even avoid a prison sentence because of the name on the back of his jersey and because he plays for America's team. The most gruesome case was when Michael Vick bankrolled a dogfighting ring, and as a nation forgot that he viciously murdered defenseless, immaculate animals, Vick amazingly was exonerated and given the starting quarterback job in Philly, when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sensed he had already paid his debts to society.

Jamal Lewis, after pleading guilty in federal court for drug trafficking, quickly made his return to drive down the field for the Baltimore Ravens. Years ago, Rafael Furcal, found guilty of his second DUI offense, returned hours later and belted a game-winning homer in Game 2 for the Atlanta Braves. It was O.J. Simpson who was found not guilty of double-murder charges, with the help of the most expensive attorney in the late Johnny Cochran. Jayson Williams, who pled guilty to assault for fatally shooting a hired limousine driver, was freed after serving eight months in jail at Rikers.

Millions of people around the world were around when NFL wide receiver Donte' Stallworth was behind the wheel drunk and tragically struck and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes on a Miami street. It amazed me that he won over the disgraceful justice system, and only had to serve 24 days of his 30-day jail sentence.

The matter of domestic violence is fairly common today and could be tough to control, but when Chad Johnson head-butts his ex-wife, he must serve time to pay the price for his foolish behavior. When Adam "Pacman" Jones face two felony charges alleging he set off a nightclub skirmish that escalated into a shooting and left a man paralyzed, he must spend time behind bars and stare at four walls to pay the consequences for his senseless actions, quite like a typical human being would in the wake of unlawful activity.

A forgiving country, America is known to be. But sometimes it's too forgiving to be quite frank. With all the reluctance this nation has in punishing pro athletes, putting a foot down so it won't happen the next time around, some players from every league don't take their lives seriously and think they can abuse their fame at one's own discretion. Fame is powerful, which can be rather hard to handle if celebrities aren't used to recognition and publicity.

There are no boundaries for pro athletes, at least not in courtrooms where they are granted a free pass, even though they are culpable. That's not likely to change any time soon, sadly, and athletes continuously get away with misdeeds as if they are ever so perfect and mistake-free.

It's morally wrong and it sends a bad message to our troubled society, to our children and our unborn athletes. It's not only a slap in the face to those who are seeking justice, but also a slap in the face to those who have been in trouble with the law and had to serve a longer sentence for something minor or even just as bad as a disturbed pro athlete. Folks, in our prejudice society, grasp a sense that non-celebrities aren't treated equally when it comes to dealing with ethics and ghastly crimes. The point is that the actions are just as repulsive and horrifying as would be with normal people committing the same criminal offenses.

I don't care that you are the next million-dollar man. I don't care that you have megabucks to get you out of trouble. I don't care that you are this well-known doctor, attorney, celebrity or a magic chef with your own cooking TV show on Food Network.

The latest tragedy should be enough to wake up America, but apparently it's not enough to alarm a shameful, impaired civilization. The social structure of America is in so much disarray, and the recent incident that involves Brent, who faces a charge of intoxication manslaughter, is a clear illustration that the legal system is unrighteous, prejudice and disingenuous in a sense.

If you do the crime, you must do the time.

At Least, Goodell Enforces Harsh Punishment for Donte' Stallworth

There’s much to like about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Maybe the fact he installed NFL’s player conduct policy that jettisoned fun in from a multi of player’s standpoints.'

Maybe the fact he eliminated touchdown celebrations that taunted the opposing team, staring bitterly.

Or maybe you like the fact that he dumped out havoc, improvising peace on earth, friendliness among peers and even maturity on the professional level.

Better suggestions than predecessor Paul Tagliabue, allowing too much fun to enrich national disturbance of player’s repulsive lifestyles.

You don’t have to like Goodell for addressing a problem worst than A-Rod’s steroid storm. And you don’t have to like him for suspending players who didn’t abide by the guidelines.


But you must credit his recent discipline accountability on a troubled Donte’ Stallworth, the Cleveland Browns wideout who’s in trouble with the law.

Following guidelines must be treated equally, and must be enforced to the fallen star, sabotaging respectability, perhaps with too much to drink and appointed on taking it to a higher level and failed to realize troubles would elicit eventually.

By making one wrong turn when he leaped behind the wheel, it changed Stallworth’s life, presumably ending brief stint as a Brown.

On a night Stallworth wasn’t thinking of the trauma and infractions, which could hunt him for the rest of his life, he traumatized an anguishing family, mourning the death of Mario Reyes, the 59-year old man that an intoxicated Stallworth hammered and almost fled the scene in his black Bentley.

He pled guilty on manslaughter charges and agreed to a financial settlement with Reyes family, which results in a sentence of 30 days in jail.

And to add more harsh mortifications and punishment, Goodell, the stern boss who doesn’t condone off-the-field misconduct, suspended Stallworth indefinitely Thursday.

It took the commissioner to body slam him harder than the justice system. But either way sanctions were handed to the contemptible Browns’ star, might have seen the last of the NFL.

So the justice department might as well give Goodell a badge and police hat for issuing a punishment harder than the court system in Miami.

It took Goodell to enforce more time out of the league than it takes for the court system to throw Stallworth behind bars for committing a horrific crime, worst than Pacman Jones’ strip club fetish or Michael Vick’s gruesome dogfighting.

Assuming that Stallworth committed manslaughter, more time in jail would have made it seem more like a fair punishment. His infractions are worst than Vick’s, yes he killed man’s best friend, but Stallworth killed a man, walking across the street.

Understand that I’m not saying dogs deserve to be beaten, tortured or killed, but I’m saying a human is worst.

For two years, Vick served time in prison for dogfighting charges, not nearly as horrific as a drunk driver hatching a baleful tragedy.

It’s fatality that has a family bitter, angry and grieving a loss, upsettingly receiving justice, just not as harsh.

At the right time, Goodell cracked down, handing justice that wasn’t served as anticipated, when the Miami court system should have followed Goodell’s conduct policy, understanding the correct way of punishing someone of negligence.

Whether it’s ignorance of the law, or senseless complexion of values, Stallworth got off too easily, only having to serve a light sentence of DUI charges that involved death.

For killing someone while driving under the influence, usually results in a 15-year maximum sentence, but offering a plea deal saved him from serving punitive time.

Still, it's letting him off too freely, and assuming that the commissioner knew of the mild results, he stepped up and did a favor for the Reyes’ family. That’s stripping him of his livelihood, and privileges of appearing ready by training camp.

Goodell quickly declared fair punishment, taking down an ill-mannered receiver. If he followed the Budweiser beer ads that encourages drinkers to drink responsible, which includes no drinking and driving, in likelihood Stallworth wouldn’t be stuck in such an unknown predicament.

His life is now in someone else’s hands, having no control of what will transpire in the near future, and shouldn’t after driving in the wee hours with a .126 blood-alcohol level.

By learning this disturbing story, I call it sinful and mind-boggling, a horrific crime enough to make you numb and damn-near shed tears, feeling sorry for the victim's family.

In the meantime, Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and probation for eight years. Still, I don’t consider that as harsh as Vick’s two-year lockup or even as much as I don’t want to state this O.J. Simpson, who’s serving his sentence for stupidity that catches him on camera stealing his personal belongings.

In likelihood, Vick may never hurl another pass in the pros, but Stallworth stunningly may have a second chance of redemption, though he’s suspended until the commissioner reinstates him, only of course if he decides to give him a second chance.

I would assume, just as he told Vick, he must present true remorse. But his suspension may last through the entire 2009 season, of which the Browns are looking to move on without the stellar receiver, and might even release him.

If so, the Browns could lose out on a $4.5 million, after he was given a $4.5 million bonus.

But sadly, Goodell had to banish Stallworth’s misbehavior of DUI manslaughter, better than the amenable judge and court system in Miami.

Understand there’s no other judge around; Goodell is the judge.