Roger Goodell No Fan of Stallworth Sentence? Indefinitely Suspends WR

It looks like it may be possible to add NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to the list of those who felt wide receiver Donte Stallworth got off just a touch easy with a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter. Goodell may be taking it upon himself to make up somewhat for the lack of jail time, as the AP reports that the league Commissioner has suspended Stallworth indefinitely.

The AP quoted portions of a letter from Goodell to the Cleveland Browns wideout:

"The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable," Goodell wrote. "While the criminal justice system has determined the legal consequences of this incident, it is my responsibility as NFL commissioner to determine appropriate league discipline for your actions, which have caused irreparable harm to the victim and his family, your club, your fellow players and the NFL."

Despite the harsh words, however, it's unclear whether Stallworth's suspension will be a lasting one. Adam "Pacman" Jones was the last player subjected to an indefinite suspension, which ended up being a six-week ban. The AP noted "Goodell said he will eventually contact Stallworth's representatives before determining the length of the suspension." It seems reasonable to assume that Stallworth could likely end up with a significantly longer ban, considering the severity of the charges, plus the fact that he'd had prior issues with the league's substance abuse program.

Related Resources

• Excerpts of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's Letter to Cleveland Browns' Donte Stallworth (www.cleveland.com)