Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent is retiring according to sources. This comes on the heels of a report from ESPN’s Ed Werder that says some members of the Dallas Cowboys organization were baffled that Josh Brent was still on the roster.
Josh Brent was driving drunk in 2012 and had an accident that resulted in the death of a teammate. The Dallas Cowboys kept him on the roster though, electing not to cut or release him. Brent than was jailed recently for having failed drug tests as a result of his pre-trial release conditions.
The NFL had been weighing potential punishments for Brent, who is set to go to trial in September.
The Dallas Cowboys had come under fire for their handling of the situation, especially when the New England Patriots quickly released Aaron Hernandez following his arrest.
Since Brent’s DUI that involved a death, defensive tackle Jay Ratliff also got a DUI.
“We expect his status for training camp to be determined before the Cowboys report to camp,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a July 11th e-mail.
Filing to @FoxSports: Cowboys DL Josh Brent to retire to focus on off-field issues. More coming.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 18, 2013
Cowboys DT Josh Brent has decided to retire to focus on major priorities, per his agent Peter Schaffer.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 18, 2013
Josh Brent has decided to retire ...just announced. He says "its right thing to do" and needs to focus on his priorities. Story to come
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) July 18, 2013