Josh Brent, who surprised Dallas Cowboys management with his appearance on the team’s sideline Sunday against Pittsburgh, was banned from doing so again by the team Tuesday.
Just two weeks after driving a car that crashed and killed teammate Jerry Brown — an accident for which he faces intoxication manslaughter charges – Brent spent more than half of Dallas’ victory over Pittsburgh on the sideline among teammates. He left in the third quarter.
The Cowboys and officials in the NFL’s offices were unaware that Brent — who is on the reserve/non-football injury list — would be on the sideline. Both the team and the league agree that it was not appropriate, sources told ESPN.
Several of Brent’s teammates encouraged him to attend Sunday’s game, but coach Jason Garrett, who spoke to Brent the day before the game, said he did not know about it until pregame warm-ups.The game already had begun when Garrett realized Brent was on the sideline, and owner Jerry Jones didn’t know until he saw Brent on television.
Garrett said Monday that Cowboys players were following the wishes of Brown’s mother, Stacey Jackson, who asked the team to include Brent as much as they could, as part of his healing.
Brent attended the game, but had to be convinced to do so. He was driven by a teammate on injured reserve, according to ESPN, who told Brent that all of his teammates wanted him to be there. But when Brent learned his being there became a point of contention for some, he left Cowboys Stadium in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, a judge ordered Brent to wear an electronic ankle monitor, and also modified conditions for his continued release. His bond was reduced from $500,000 to $100,000 during his Tuesday court appearance.
Brent also was ordered not to consume alcohol or drive until he has a valid Texas license, and he was fitted with a SCRAM device that will detect any alcohol consumption. The judge warned Brent that any violation of these terms will result in him being immediately returned to jail.
Heath Harris, the first assistant district attorney, said he expected Irving police to file a case against Brent with prosecutors this week. Prosecutors hope to present their case to a grand jury before the end of the year, Harris said.
