On Tuesday, a memorial was held for deceased NFL linebacker Jerome “Jerry” Brown Jr. Brown, a former Indianapolis Colt free agent pick up, had recently been signed to the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys. Brown, who was picked up by the Colts in May of this year, had previously spent time in the CFL and AFL. Brown was cut by the Colts in late October, and was brought in by the Cowboys soon after.
Jerry Brown, who passed away after a one-car drunk-driving accident last weekend, will now be much more well-known for what happened to him off the field, than what he had done while on it. Brown’s good friend and Dallas teammate, Josh Brent, has also become infamous for being behind the wheel the vehicle in the wee hours of December 8th, after drinking with several other Cowboys at a local nightclub. The car hit a curb at high speed, flipped, and caught fire. Brown was unresponsive at the scene, and was later pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Brent was taken to jail, charged with intoxication manslaughter, and faces up to 20 years in prison. Brent was released on bail Monday.
Brent met with the Brown family on Tuesday, and rode to the memorial service with Brown’s mother, Stacey Jackson, at her request. This showing of sympathy and understanding, although warm and caring, maybe possibly be a bit more than Brent deserves. Drunk driving injuries occur every day, and the people who are at fault for these occurances, should not necessarily receive sympathy. Many of us can understand the type of foolish mistake that Brent made, but that does not lessen the fact that his actions cost an innocent man his life. The punishment should fit the crime, and Josh Brent deserves to endure the suffering that he has brought upon the family and friends of Jerome Brown Jr.