Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent will be conditionally reinstated to the NFL as of week 11, after spending 180 days in jail stemming from an intoxication manslaughter charge. However, according to his attorney Peter Schaffer; he’s hoping to return sooner than that after appealing the NFL’s decision:
“We are going to invoke our appeal right,” Schaffer said by phone. “We were truly hoping that the Commissioner’s response to Josh’s request for reinstatement would be one that we wouldn’t have to appeal, and that it would be fair and based on precedent. The last thing we thought we’d have to do today would be appeal the decision.”
Schaffer also pointed out the case of former receiver Donte Stallworth, who was also found to be responsible for someone’s death due to drinking and driving in 2009.
“It was the same exact situation,” Schaffer said. “Both were tragic and unfortunate. Stallworth received a 16-game suspension. I base everything on precedent. The precedent was set. But Josh will serve a 30-game suspension.” It’s important that Josh voluntarily retired,” Schaffer said. “He could have forced the NFL to go through a tremendous amount of scrutiny for allowing him to play pending trial or for attempting to suspend him before he had been proven guilty. Where’s the incentive for someone to do that in the future? Giving him twice what Stallworth received doesn’t seem to be acknowledge that.”
While what Brent and his attorney are doing may be looked at as insensitive to the victim’s family or people on the outside looking in; it’s important to remember that Josh Brent hired representation to see to his best interest. If you believe the facts laid out here, they may have a case.
[h/t PFT]