Donte Stallworth Reinstated, Cut By Cleveland Browns

NFL News - February 9th, 2010 - Written by John Ritter

As expected, wide receiver Donte Stallworth was readmitted into the NFL following the Super Bowl, and his current team, the Cleveland Browns, cut him loose.

Cleveland terminated Stallworth's contract Monday night, allowing the embattled receiver to become a free agent. Stallworth had been suspended indefinitely by commissioner Roger Goodell after killing a man while driving drunk.

According to police reports, Stallworth was driving in Miami on March 14 after a long night of partying. He had alcohol and marijuana in his system when he struck a pedestrian who had just gotten off of work and was trying to catch a bus. The man, 59-year old Mario Reyes, had only moments before left his construction site when he crossed the street without using a crosswalk, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Stallworth was charged with DUI manslaughter and immediately placed on indefinite leave. He was given a 30-day jail sentence and settled an out-of-court monetary agreement with Reyes' family.

Goodell told reporters he was glad to see Stallworth's cooperation with the league, and cited his good attitude and remorse as reason for his reinstatement.

The Browns made it known they would not keep him around, though. He had only completed one year of a seven-year, $35 million contract he signed in 2008. That season he caught 17 passes for 170 yards.

Cleveland is coming off it's best season in several years, but that still puts them at the seven spot in the upcoming NFL Draft. Although the release of Stallworth means one less option at receiver, it is believed the Browns will address their defense with the first-round selection.

They went 5-11 in the 2009 NFL Season after winning four-straight to close out the schedule. Despite the momentum, Cleveland is among seven teams with the longest odds to win next year's Super Bowl in Online Sportsbooks at 100-to-1.