I shouldn't be judged because I am an athlete

Athletes are much like celebrities, in fact they are. Young children look up to them as their rolemodels, people they want to be like when they grow up. Every child thinks that their athlete of choice is the best thing since their last new toy, they have posters on their walls, trading cards with their photo on them, and even wear their jerseys. What if your child wanted to wear the jersey of a drunk driver? What if they worshiped a man who was convicted of killing an inocent pedestrain? Donte Stallworth, a wide receiver with the Cleveland Browns was at the top of his game last season and was about to have what could have been the season of his lifetime. One night he made the desicion to go out have some drinks and without better judgement he began to drive home.

Donte Stallworth was headed onto the freeway when a construction worker, Mario Reyes, was getting off work and headed to his vehicle. Stallworth was at the legal drunk limit and he struck and killed Mr. Reyes. At the time he was arrested and was released on bail facing what should have been the sentence anyone who didn't have money or wasn't a celebrity should deserve. Donte Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 2 years of house arrest, 8 years probation, 1,000 hrs of community service, and an undisclosed settlement.

The NFL did not take this case lightly at first and advised him that he was suspended until futher notice. They then decided to suspend him for the whole 2009 season, but was allowed to practice with the team while on house arrest. This is what is what I see as a slap in the face to our society. What kind f example are we setting not only for the rest of society and harsher punishment for drunk drivers, but what about those impressionable minds that are the youth. They look up to them and see that they not only are rich beyond belief, but they can also get away with murder and driving drunk.

MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers made a statement regarding celebrities and drunk driving, "MADD is calling on Hollywood and all pro sports teams to clean up their acts and for leaders in those industries to send a strong statement: drunk driving will not be tolerated. MADD will pursue meetings with these leaders to share information about MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and to ask for support. Meantime, let’s stop the public displays of drunk driving (and, of course, all drunk driving) that not only sends an irresponsible and potentially deadly message, but have become a bad reality show that needs to have the plug pulled"

I leave you with a statement from Donte Stallworth that I can see that he is upset, but it does not bring back the victim or heal the pain of his family; "I urge NFL fans not to judge NFL players or me based on my tragic lapse in judgment. I am a good person who did a bad thing. I will use the period of my suspension to reflect, fulfill my obligations, and use this experience to make a positive impact on the lives of those who look up to NFL players."