17. The number of estimated drinks Josh Brent consumed before
getting in the driver’s seat and getting into an accident that killed his
friend and Dallas Cowboys teammate Jerry Brown. 110. The speed at which Brent
and Brown were travelling minutes before the accident. 180. The amount of days Brent was sentenced to
for intoxication manslaughter (cbssports.com).
"Manslaughter” is a judicial term,
synonymous with murder and homicide. Despite the verbiage, Brown was killed in
an automobile accident caused by the blood toxicity of Brent. As Gil LeBreton
from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
discussed, the drunken driving offense was not Brent’s first. He was arrested
four years ago for drunken driving in Illinois.
What can be done to make sure that accidents—and truly—violations
like this are not happening among NFL athletes? The truth is, measures have
been taken. The NFL Players Association has actively sought avenues to keep its
members out of situations like the one that killed Brown and incarcerated
Brent. Uber, a car service company, recently entered a partnership with the
NFLPA (forbes.com).
Accessible by phone and through a downloadable app, Uber picks up players from
any location to deliver them to their destination safely. What’s the reasoning
behind partnerships like the one with Uber? The New
York Times approximated that since 2006 more than $5 million in salary
money has been lost in fines and penalties from drunken driving. More than any
dollar amount, the implications of these poor decisions become tangible at the
gravesite in St. Louis where Brown was laid to rest (kmov.com).
Undoubtedly, the NFLPA is trying to facilitate better options
for its members than to endanger themselves and others while under the
influence. Uber may be the best bet. In the meantime, decisions like Brent’s
cannot be unmade, and the maximum 180 days he’ll spend in jail are six months
his teammate will never see.
Drinking and driving is not something anyone should be doing. When you put someone else's life in danger, it results in things like this.He took someone's life because of a poor decision. His 180 days in jail will not do justice to the agony that the family is facing over their loved ones death.
ReplyDeleteThe most pressing reason for him receiving only the 180 days was the victim's mother testifying in the sentencing hearing on Brent's behalf asking the jury to not punish him any further. Living with the knowledge the he had killed his best friend was punishment enough, in the victim's mother's eyes.
DeleteI agree. This is a growing concern in the NFL with the drinking and driving. Although these are grown individuals steps like connecting with UBER will help. They can help facilitate the impaired decision making, and now can team up to prevent tragedies like Brent’s case. You would think that these players would have enough sense to pay for a taxi or phone a friend after a night of fun. It is only so much that the NFL can do in holding some of these players hands to do the right thing. The individual person must also take initiative to ensuring good decision making.
ReplyDeleteIn my eyes I feel that if you are trying to be a role model and play in the NFL, the players should stay away from incidents like this. When I twelve my uncle was intoxicated driving me and my brother home. He attempted to cross the road and next thing i know we were spinning in the air. So I feel that he should have been aware of what he was doing and maybe Brown would still be here today. NFL players should set good examples for the one's that look up to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the NFL. I am also glad that UBER has decided to help the NFL as well. These NFL players are role models to many people, but what most people fail to realize is that they are adults so they should have to take more responsibility for their actions. NFL can only do so much so it is really up these players to step up and do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteI feel that he knew what he was doing when he got behind the wheel intoxicated. He could have called a friend or teammate to come and pick them up. Unfortunately he didn't and because of this he faced the consequence of taking a life. This is a problem that the NFL is facing everyday, and serious actions need to be taken besides a slap on the wrist. They don't face the same consequences as a person would who is not in the NFL. I feel that they should get the same punishment that any human being would get. On the other hand, UBER is doing the right thing by helping the NFL and the players but can it be certain that they will call once they leave the club or bar when they need a ride home? Or will they once again get behind the wheel and take a life.
ReplyDeleteI honestly do agree with the NFL. I am super glad that UBER has decided to help the NFL and everything they wanted. Many kids today have a professional athlete that they look up to but the athlete cant set a bad example because they wont be looked at the same. And honestly athletes are getting in more and more trouble today and I don't know if they are following other people or if they really are accidents.
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