The Baltimore Ravens signed wide receiver Donte' Stallworth to a one-year, $900,000 contract Wednesday, just nine days after he was released by the Cleveland Browns following a season-long suspension.
Stallworth served 30 days in a Miami jail last year for striking and killing a man with his car while driving under the influence of alcohol.
"We've given a lot of thought to this, and we've done extensive research into Donte' beyond football," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement released by the team. "He made a huge mistake. There's no doubt about that. He has paid a significant price for that, and, as he has said, he carries a heavy weight. As (Ravens owner) Steve (Bisciotti) said, we believe in second chances, and Donte' does deserve that.
"But we've signed him because we want to get better, and we think he has a chance to help us."
Said Stallworth: "I will never get that morning back. It weighs on me every day and will for the rest of my life. What I can do is move forward, try to be a better person, try to convince others not to do what I did and warn others about the dangers of drinking and driving. I have to show otherwise that what happened doesn't reflect who I am."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Stallworth last week after suspending the receiver for the 2009 season following his plea agreement on a DUI manslaughter charge. The Browns, Stallworth's team at the time, didn't have any interest in retaining his services and released him, but he worked out for several teams after that.
"I've spent the last six months working hard with a trainer in case I got an opportunity to come back," said Stallworth, who also has $300,000 in incentives in his contract with the Ravens. "I felt I had to work extra hard since I wasn't with a team. I'm ready to try and help the Ravens."
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d ... nfirm=true
Of course Donte will have to paint his car again.
