Donte's DUI-death sentence: Right or light? (with poll); plus Sammy Sosa, Artie Lange

     [Click on Twitter.com/gregcote for free to follow along. And join us tomorrow from 1-2 p.m. as our live weekly chat moves to Wednesdays. Click on Chattytown to post a question at any time].

     Was justice done with Donte' Stallworth?: Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth pleaded guilty in Miami to DUI-manslaughter for striking and killing a man and today was sentenced to one month in jail, followed by two years' house arrest, eight years probation and 1,000 hours of community service. (News story here). The initial reaction of many will be outrage: "One month for killing a guy!?" But I think the overall sentence is fair considering Stallworth's prior clean record, his taking responsibility, the role victim Mario Reyes played in his own death, and also the monetary agreement reached with the family. Take a dip in our poll and offer your opinion.

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     Sammy Sosa took steroids. NOOOOO!!!!!!!!: The New York Times reports that Sammy Sosa tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003. Gee, imagine that! Sosa, out of baseball and about to formally retire, announced last week he'll be awaiting his call from Cooperstown. Good luck on that wait, Sam. Maybe you can share the same waiting room with Bonds and McGwire. Keep each other company!

     The awful, fantastic debut of 'Joe Buck Live': Joe Buck's new show on HBO debuted last night and what people are talking about today about is how Artie Lange, the insult-comic from Howard Stern's show, hijacked Buck's show. Brett Favre was supposed to be the big guest. But Lange upstaging Buck was the TV gold that made the new show noteworthy out the box. Save the outrage, Joe. You can't buy pub like this. Besides, have you heard Artie Lange before? Are you familiar with Stern at all? Booking Lange and being surprised by the act is like swimming with a crocodile and being shocked by the bite marks.

Comments

[Jimbo]

You guys all have your opinions about the Stallworth DUI conviction and sentencing.

My opinion is - just right -

1. Judge found it fair and within Florida State sentencing guidelines.
2. Pro Athlete can afford very good legal defense/advice,, therefore you assume he had good representation. The Attorney thought it was worth agreeing to.
3. Defendant Stallworth thought it was fair.
4. Victim's Family thought it was fair.

Anyway you shake it, it is a tragety involving vehicle and alcohol.

You cannot say the same with Jim Leyritz... Dude is disgusting... not my fault this and poor, broke me that. boohoo baseball doesn't even want me.. this knucklehead is pathetic.

I do feel empathy toward Stallworth. He manned up and before all this he seemed like a decent dude.

Question for the next poll**************

Do you think pro athletes get paid enough $ to afford a cab leaving the club or titty bar??

[Brian McMullin]

What an absoloute Joke that Stallworth gets a month in Jail! Any one of use would be in for a minium of four years!!!! He was DRIVING DRUNK!!!! So what if he was remorsful and cooperated with the cops, thats a Felony in Florida and any of us would do a min of 6 months for a DUI but this guy KILLED SOMEONE in the proccess! So for killing someone, manslaughter any of us would be going down the road for a min of 4 years!!!!

Oh ya, heres the catch! His monetary agreement!!! Thats all it takes.

[Dave in VA]

Cote, since you have a man-crush on Vick, let's put this into perspective...

Vick gets a year+ for killing and fighting dogs. Stallworth gets 30 days for killing a human being. You can get that for getting caught with a joint.

What the F*CK is wrong with this picture?

[r. duke]

Jimbo good one. Cote what say you about cabfare poll?

[OC Dolphin]

I think I know why Stallworth got off light. Wasn't he wearing an Obama pin at the time of sentencing?

[Dave in VA]

It's f*cking amazing. The victim's family saw dollar signs and settled, probably never imagined a lump sum like that.

But this is a huge poke in the ass to EVERYONE that has lost a loved one to a f*cking drunk on the road. Guidelines don't apply when you have a depp bank account. Our f*cked up system proves it over and over again. This shit pisses me off. Making me thirsty.

[Will]

How can a guy that was over the limit and killed a podestrian get it plead down to just a DUI? Average Joe would be looking at ten to fifteen years. American justice is a joke. This guy is a criminal. He should be treated like one. But he plays football, so its ok. Hopefully Rodger Goodell will mike up for this and suspend this CRIMINAL!

[Tom]

Well I have a little different take on Stallworth. The facts as I understand them are that the victim ran in front of Stallworth's vehicle trying to catch a bus. True Stallworth was drinking, but that is not why the victim is dead. He's dead because he wasn't paying attention when he ran into the street. The fact is if Stallworth had fought these charges he probably would have walked. He seems to be an honorable guy taking full responsibility for his actions and demonstrating real contrition. I think all in all the sentence is fair.

Artie Lange did for Buck what he could never do for himself, make his show interesting. Buck is a stiff and if not for Lange the first show might have been the last. As it is, it may only have a one week run any way.

[nextmiamimillionaire]

All those damn TV commercials of drunk driving now need to be changed to "If your over the limit and kill someone you better have a sh*t load of money or you will go to jail."Vick gets time in prison for messin around with dogs, this guy gets drunk, decides he doesn't need to be picked up by his limo, drives his Bentley and kills an innocent by-stander.In the end it's all about the money $$$.What kind of message did this judge send out???Lets see...Hey if your a athlete, or just a regular old millionaire come to Miami get drunk, get in your car and kill someone, then just pay up and we'll let you off the hook.Yeah I guess that how our justice system works.

[OC Dolphin]

Greg,

Very nice article and topic by you on the Herald today (Best Athletes of All Time). See here:

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/breaking-news/story/1100383.html

I was going to give you my 2¢'s worth at that site but for the 40 page registration process required to sign in, there.

Enough to say that these type of proclamations can never be agreed upon. You're always going to get arguments (then again, that's your m.o., isn't it?).

I will say this about that though. Whoever one places high on these types of lists say more about themselves than who they actually vote for, right? Don't believe me? Ask any Roman and you'll get Hercules as #1.

[Jimbo]

Thanx OC for the article.

Cote: Jim Brown best NFL player ever? Talk about a stretch. He couldn't carry Barry Sanders shoes..or Emmitt Smith's for that matter.

[r. duke]

Emmitt does not get nearly credit for his running ability and willingness to play with extreme pain. HE DESERVES RUSHING TITLE much as I love Payton. I was living in Gainesville when Emmitt broke long run after long run. Emmitt also presents as one humble descent human-being. There are times I wonder about Jim Brown's stability and his MOUTH. You could drive a Peterbilt through it without touching the inside of his cheeks...

[MM]

Donte Stallworth-30 days for drunk driving ending in a mans death -and he'll get a job before Michael Vick. Huh? Next time Vick should spread some money around too. and memo to PETA : That was not Michael Vick on the Grassy Nole!

[big jeff]

this is how our justice system is. we all know the deal. if you have money you will get off. if you dont you will go jail.this dude gets drunk and kills someone gets 30days in jail.he must have gotten lenoard littles lawyer.but then again if i was a family member i would not want money i would want justice for the life he took.

[Jimbo]

bigjeff. apparently Stallworth's victims family values the $$$

For some reason these Pro Athletes are underpaid. They can't afford cab fare coming from the club or strip bar. They are sooo underpaid they have to publically cry about a new contract or hold out,, or whatever.. Jeeze, Daunte Culpepper was only paid $8 mil a yr to ride a stationary bike with the Dolphins a lil while back. Can you imagine only getting paid $8 mil a yr to work then,,,publicly complain that the team has mistreated you. What a pussy.

[Dave in VA]

Tom, he stated he flashed his headlights to warn the pedestrian. So he saw him and mowed him down anyway. And of course he's sorry and contrite, his life of freedom as he knows it was flashing before his eyes.

[the shadow knows]

Jimbo,

i would have to agree about jim brown; as gtreat as barry sanders was, his daddy told him that jimmy brown was the best ever and to this day barry sanders refers to #32 of cleveland as "mr. brown". emmitt smith's greatest asset as a runner was that he stopped to watch the blocking in front of him and then ran where there were not defenders. look at his footage and you will see him come to a complete stop in the backfield before deciding where to go, no small talent.

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

rewarding the african continent with the next mundial might seem to turn into a disaster. granted the african teams will have rooters for them, but how many boosters does south africa expect to make a day long flight (from anywhere but brazil or argentina, and it is still a shlep from south america) to one of the most dangerous countries on earth? not me!!! i'll watch on univision where the commentators are great and aren't trying to teach the game as it is being played. plus andres kantor on the radio-the best announcer in any sport in the world; the gooooolllllllll calls are just a triple bonus.

[Stav]

The Stallworth sentence is fair. Yes he was drunk. But the victim was running down the middle of a three lane highway. At dawn.

From the moment the accident took place Stallworth manned up. He immediately cooperated with police. He immediately went to visit the family. He immediately told the family that he would provide for them. He told the Judge that he would work on DUI issues. And I believe he is truly being honest with himself and us when he says that this moment will live with him for the rest of his life.

A horrible mistake. But a very good response from anybody, especially an NFL star.

[the shadow knows]

Greg,

very fine article, but missing the most dominant specimen in his sport(at least i didn't see the name)- secretariat. championat at 2 and at three, broke every record in the triple crown races- in the mile and a half belmont he broke the track record for every increment from the sprint of six furlongs to the mile and a half of the race. best two horses besides him in my lifetime are seattle slew, and my personal favorite affirmed, who was called the "joe dimaggio" of horses by the late laz barrera. apologies if i missed the equine athletes.

[the shadow knows]

Greg,

also missing were jockeys, the best being lafitt pincay and willie shoemaker.

[r. duke]

shadow Brown may not have rushing title but at least he became a C-List actor... And what's with his little knitted green striped hat? I mean guy is never without it it. His bald head must smell like a** by now. I mean has it ever been washed? Sorry shadow I couldn't resist. Brown was no doubt a great talent AND great a**hole.

[the shadow knows]

r. duke,

the guy won every rushing title but one for all the years he played; one year under a thousand (997 i think, and jimmy taylor of the packer rushing machine won with 1100+). by most opinions, the greatest football player ever. i would throw into the discussion the following: ronnie lott, anthony munoz, and jerry rice

[r. duke]

Well shadow I still love Bednarik even if he was before my time. Two-way hardnosed player and WWII Vet that briefly sent Frank Gifford wherever David Carridine is now minus the orgasm. RIP David.

[r. duke]

Also Earl Campbell should get at least honorable mention vote.

[mike1]

Just a few days ago on TV, they showed a teenage girl who got 9 years for DUI, killing her friend who was in her car (and was also above the alcohol limit). Enough said about the fairness of the system when it comes to the rich and famous.

[r. duke]

mike1 here's an oldie but a "goodie" as far as rich & famous injustice. How 'bout when Claudine Longet got off for shooting and killing skier Spider Savage. Good ol ex-husband Andy Williams flew in to lend his support as well as his rich and famous staus during kangaroo trial.

[r. duke]

sorry meant his "status."

[Bickus Dickus]

Judge Judy would have sent him to hell.

[r. duke]

Judge Judy needs a good old fashioned k-y jelly lubed a** f***ing. I believe I can safely say that on here. Am I right Cote?

[Jimbo]

Stav, only one argument with you post about Stallworth... he ISN'T an NFL star, just an average WR by anyones standard.

[mike1]

Shadow, S. Africa also has a poor internal transportation system..sort of like the US and the lack of quality rail. My friend invited me to go to S. Africa for the games; he has friends and places to stay. I'd like to go. Cape Town looks gorgeous. But expenses, hassle of getting around and crowds, and extreme difficulty getting tickets.

My co-worker already got tickets in the first lottery round of sales. But they are
for teams that have not been determined yet.

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

better off oon univision than taking chances in a prettey lawless country.

[david in los angeles]

funny, OC. maybe the victim had a mccain shirt on, moron..