Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent (92) on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent faces intoxication manslaughter charges as a result of a fatal vehicle accident that took the life of his best friend and teammate Jerry Brown, but Brent is currently out on bail and able to work. That is where the Cowboys face a tough decision on how to handle Brent.
For now, they have decided to place Brent on the non-football injury/illness list, per ESPN’s Ed Werder. By placing Brent on the NFI list, he will still have access to the team facilities and receive the support of the organzation, Werder pointed out.
ProFootballTalk.com elaborated on the situation more:
"The biggest threshold question is whether the Cowboys will pay Brent; under the CBA, the team has the discretion to determine whether or not a player with a non-football injury or illness will continue to receive his salary.Either way, the move defers for now the question of whether Brent will be disciplined by the team or the league. Though the team technically has no ability to impose a suspension on its own, the Cowboys can — as long as Brent and the NFLPA choose not to fight."
The league will not be able to punish Brent until his legal procedures are over, which they will surely do. In 2009, after wide receiver Donte Stallworth served 24 days in jail on DUI manslaughter charges, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Stallworth for the entire season.
Once Brent is hit with his sentence, it would be surprising to see him receive anything less than Stallworth’s suspension.