Cowboys DT faces intoxication manslaughter charges in LB Jerry Brown's death
APA news cameraman films the site of the single-vehicle accident that killed Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown early Saturday morning.
updated 1:50 p.m. ET Dec. 9, 2012
IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent says he's "just trying to deal" with the death of his teammate and "very best friend" Jerry Brown.
Brent is charged with intoxication manslaughter in the accident that killed Brown.
Brent was released from jail in the Dallas suburb of Irving after posting $500,000 bond Sunday, a day after police say he was drunk and speeding when the vehicle he was driving clipped a curb and flipped.
Brent's release came about an hour after the Cowboys secured an emotional 20-19 victory in Cincinnati with a field goal on the final play. Brent was supposed to start the game.
The 25-year-old Brown was a member of the Cowboys' practice squad and living with Brent while he pursued his dream of playing in the NFL.
Irving police said Brent was speeding in the Dallas suburb when the vehicle he was driving his a curb and flipped about 2:20 a.m. Saturday. The 25-year-old Brown was found unresponsive at the scene and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Brent was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, and the charge was upgraded after Brown died. The manslaughter charge is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison.
Brown's grandmother, Theresa Clark of St. Louis, told The Associated Press on Sunday that Brown and Brent grew close while they were teammates at the University of Illinois from 2007 to 2009."I'm quite sure that Jerry thought the world of him and respected that young man," Clark said.
She remembered her eldest grandchild - one of 20 - as a man who would stop at nothing to realize his dream of becoming a professional football player.
"He lived for football. He loved it with all of his heart," she said, noting that Brown built a foundation of faith, hard work and discipline for his younger cousins to follow.
"They praised him," she said. "They were all really upset and crying" when they found out about his death.
Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson of Champaign, Ill., told the AP that Brown was an expectant father.
"I'm very excited an anxious to meet my granddaughter," she said. "She will be here in 2 more months. She is going to be well loved.
"I have scrapbooks and everything to show her what type of father she had. My youngest son, Jeremiah, will be there to push her on to ensure that she can be the best woman that she can be."
The accident happened hours before Brent was to be on a team flight to Cincinnati, where the Cowboys played the Bengals on Sunday.
Before the game, the Bengals held a moment of silence before the national anthem. Most Cowboys bowed their heads, and Dallas quarterback Tony Romo and several other players had their hands over their hearts.
On Fox's NFL Sunday show, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team had focused on Brown's death in the "last few hours." He didn't mention Brent.
"First of all we all know, but we remind ourselves that there is something more important than football, and this is life, and certainly the lost life of Jerry," Jones said. "On the other hand, they know the best way they can honor Jerry, because he was such a hard worker, so conscientious and enthusiastic about his career."
It marked the second straight week the NFL found itself dealing with a tragedy right before gameday.Last Saturday, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend before killing himself in front of his coach and general manager. The 25-year-old Belcher shot himself in the parking lot at the team's practice complex at Arrowhead Stadium.
In February 2009, Brent was arrested in February 2009 near the Illinois campus for driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license and speeding, according to Champaign County, Ill., court records. Four months later, Brent pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years of probation, 200 hours of community service and a fine of about $2,000.
As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped one count of aggravated DUI/no valid driver's license. Brent successfully completed his probation in July 2011, court records show.
Brent, a nose guard, played in the first 12 games this season and was bigger part of the defense than expected with starter Jay Ratliff battling injuries. He has 35 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks and was expected to start Sunday against the Bengals because Ratliff was out with a groin injury.
The Cowboys signed Brown to their practice squad Oct. 24, but he hasn't been on the active roster. He was released from the Colts' practice squad Oct. 20. Brown was active for one game with the Colts, a loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 14.
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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