SCOTT JACOBS

Roger Goodell has come down hard on NFL players who’ve made stupid decisions since he took the throne as the king of the NFL, but today the commish handed down arguably his biggest punishment to date, in a case that sends a strong message (well, kind of) that the legal system isn’t always the final tell all.

Donte Stallworth, who killed an innocent man while driving drunk with a blood alcohol level of .126 back in March, was sentenced, and served most of a 30 day jail sentence, after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter, but apparently Goodell and his NFL croonies felt that wasn’t enough.

Because today, Goodell suspended Stallworth for the entire 2009 season.

Yes, Stallworth immediately stopped right after he hit Mario Reyes, a Miami construction worker, and he even called 911 to inform them off the crash, but despite his honesty and refreshing move not to run from the consequences, Stallworth is still getting the NFL’s cold shoulder.

And it’s a message that needed to be sent.

Stallworth’s jail sentence, which turned out to only be 24 days made a mockery of the legal system, even though Stallworth cooperated fully.  Whatever he paid the family of the late Mario Reyes was enough to dock off considerable jail time, which is wrong in itself, but I kind of assumed the NFL would pull another Vick, with the idea that Stallworth had paid his debts to society and it was time to give him a second chance.

Boy was I wrong.

And I’m happy to be wrong, because when it comes down to it, even though Stallworth cooperated, he’s still guilty of killing a man.  He may not have done it on purpose, but last time I checked, life is precious in this society of ours, and if you take one away, you’re going to pay.

Many will argue that the penalty was not harsh enough.  Think about it: how many businesses would still keep a man around who got himself into that type of mess in the first place?  The NFL and sports leagues in general have always been the type to allow more leniancy then say average jobs.  Leonard Little is the perfect example.  In 1998 he drove drunk and killed a motorcyclist.  Six years later he was arrested for drunk driving and speeding.  Yet, he is still playing in the NFL, almost as if nothing ever happened.

Stallworth isn’t totally off the hook with the law just yet though.  Although it sounds laughable, the wide receiver still has two years of house arrest to do, tacked on with eight years of probation (for what that’s worth).

One things for sure though, and it’s not like what I’m about to say will serve as any revelation to anyone.

It pays to be rich and a celebrity in this country.

Because without his fame and fortune, chances are Mr. Stallworth would probably still find himself in jail.

Instead, he has to sit out a season.

Big freaking deal.

Photo: AP