Prior to kickoff on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts announced to a sell out crowd that Jerry Brown, former member of the Colts practice squad was killed in a car accident early Saturday morning. Josh Brent, a Dallas Cowboy and teammate of Brown, was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter. Brown was released after posting a steep half-million dollar bail.
Brown and Brent met back in their college days when they played football for the University of Illinois. After bouncing around between the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League, Brown was signed by the Colts in May 2012. He was released from the Colts’ practice squad and later picked up by the Dallas Cowboys to reunite with his college teammate.
According to Texas Law, intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony. Assuming he is punished as a citizen of Texas, Brown is facing a possible two to twenty years and a maximum fine of $ 10,000. The NFL is expected to penalize Brent as well. No amount of time served or fines paid will punish Brent more than the pain and guilt he likely feels and will have to live with the rest of his life.
If you take a moment to search the words NFL DUI, you will find a number of players who have been arrested for driving while intoxicated. This may cause some to wonder why the NFL does not impose a more serious penalty to deter such behavior.
During Sunday Night Football, Tony Dungy discussed his approach to matters such as these when he was in Indianapolis. He explained a time when he had a 17-year-old who had spent years in prison for killing three people while driving intoxicated speak to the Colts. It was his hope to enlighten and educate these young men so they might make better decisions in the future.
Many players enter the NFL directly following college, in his early twenties. Many twenty-somethings are still learning how to make good, responsible decisions as they enter their adult life. Add to that the money, fame and attention brought on by the NFL. That is one dicey combination.
People are motivated in different ways. Some are motivated by avoiding consequences. Others learn from the mistakes of others or their own misdeeds. And still, others are likely to act a certain way when rewarded.
Combining harsher penalties with proactive discussions and inspirational speakers may just help lower the occurrence of DUIs in the NFL. Either way, the teams and league need to make some changes in order to prevent tragedies such as the story of Brent and Brown.
