[LitlBuck]

I think is playing days with the Cleveland Browns are most likelier over with this new revelation.

Cleveland.com

Report: Cleveland Browns' Donte Stallworth was already in substance abuse progam
by Mary Kay Cabot / Plain Dealer Reporter
Thursday April 02, 2009, 10:13 PM
UPDATED: 10:15 p.m.

CLEVELAND -- Browns receiver Donte Stallworth was already in the NFL's substance abuse program before being charged with DUI manslaughter according to a report, meaning he'll most likely face stiffer sanctions from the NFL if convicted.

In March of 2007, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Stallworth was a participant in the league's substance abuse program and faced a suspension if he violated the conditions again.

Asked about the report a week later when he signed with the Patriots, Stallworth told the Associated Press, "All that stuff is in the past. There was a situation a couple years ago. There's nothing now that's going on that will affect me preparing for helping this team."

Stallworth, 28, surrendered in a Miami courtroom Thursday morning on the DUI manslaughter charges in connection with the death of pedestrian Mario Reyes, 59. He made a brief appearance in front of Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy before being led away in handcuffs for booking. He was released a few hours later on $200,000 bail.

Holding his mother Donna's hand outside the Miami-Dade county jail around noon, Stallworth told a group of reporters and cameras, "I just want to extend my condolences to the Reyes family. My prayers are with them. I have full confidence and faith in the legal process."

The Inquirer report from 2007 did not specify why Stallworth was entered into the NFL's substance abuse program or what stage he was in. A player in Stage Two faces at least a four-game suspension if he violates the conditions of his program. A player in Stage Three faces a one-year suspension.

Players in Stage Two can rotate out of the program after two years if they've been compliant, but any prior history of substance abuse is a factor in determining NFL fines and suspensions.

For comparison's sake, Rams defensive end Leonard Little was suspended eight games by the NFL in 1999 after killing a 47-year old woman while he was driving drunk. It's not known if he was in the NFL's program before the conviction.

Continued