Want proof that money can get you out of any trouble? Look no further that the 30 day jail sentence of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth for a DUI manslaughter that killed a Florida crane operator in March, 2009.

Stallworth, 28, pleaded guilty to killing Mario Reyes while under the influence of alcohol. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, he will receive only 30 days in jail, must undergo drug and alcohol testing, will have a lifetime driver’s license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service.

How did Stallworth, who was looking at a 15 year sentence, receive only 30 days? He paid off the family!

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle cited that the financial settlement with the family was one factor for the plea agreement. She also agreed with Stallworth’s attorney that Stallworth stopped immediately after the accident, called 911 and submitted to roadside alcohol testing.

“For all of these reasons, a just resolution of this case has been reached,” Rundle said.

Believe it or not, no one from the Reyes family attended the hearing. Their attorney, Rodolfo Suarez, read a statement saying the family wants to “bring closure to this emotional and tragic event.”

After a night drinking at a bar in Miami Beach’s Fountainebleau hotel, Stallworth hit Reyes, who was rushing to catch a bus after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m.

Stallworth’s blood-alcohol level was .126 after the crash, well above Florida’s .08 limit.

The night before he hit Reyes he earned a $4.5 million roster bonus from the Cleveland Browns.

So far the Cleveland Browns have no comment on the sentence. It will be interesting to see if the NFL and/or the Browns take action against him.

So life will go on for Donte Stallworth but not for Mario Reyes. I guess nobody cares!

source: sports.yahoo.com

The New York Jets appear to be making another bold move in attaining football talent.  After succeeding in the “steal of the century” in the 2009 NFL draft, the Jets are looking for an anchor wide receiver to complement their new franchaise QB - Mark Sanchez.  The Jets traded up 12 spots in the 2009 NFL draft - from the 17th to 5th - to get former USC QB Mark Sanchez.  Now they have their eyes on acquiring the former New York Giant receiver Plaxico Burress for Sanchez to throw to.

The Jets made only three picks in the 2009 NFL Draft and none were wide receivers. They selected former USC QB, Mark Sanchez with the first round with the number 5 pick overall.  They selected RB Shonn Greene (Iowa) in the 3rd round with the 65th pick and OG Matthew Slauson (Nebraska) in the 6th round and the 163rd pick. 

According to reports, the Jets GM Mike Tennenbaum contacted Plaxico Burress’s agent Drew Rosenhaus about his availability.  Plaxico is on the open market after his former team, the New York Giants, released him after Plax’s well documented run in with the law.  Plaxico shot himself in the leg in a New York nightclub with an unregistered gun - punishable in New York by a jail sentence. 

Was the trading up to the 5th spot and the signing of Plaxico Burress all part of the Jets master plan to immediately add a new dimension to their offense?

Although both Plaxico’s agent and the Jets Brass are tight-lipped, you can bet both sides are licking their chops at the possibility of a union.  The Jets can add an immediate proven wide receiver and Plax can continue to earn a paycheck while staying at home!

Expect this deal to get done - if Plax and the law can agree to a plea deal that doesn’t include time behind bars!