Controversy over: Brent barred from sidelines

Controversy over: Brent barred from sidelines

Published Dec. 18, 2012 11:09 a.m. ET

Josh Brent's controversial appearance on the Cowboys' sideline Sunday was his last for a while.

The Cowboys and NFL officials have barred Brent from the sidelines, according to a report by 105.3 The Fan on Monday.

Brent has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in the death of teammate Jerry Brown Jr. Brent's presence was seen as insensitive by some, including CBS' own commentators, who were openly critical of the Cowboys for allowing him on the sideline.

Brent was spotted by CBS cameras on the sideline last Sunday during the Cowboys' game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He left the sideline by the second half after learning his presence was becoming a distraction.

Neither Cowboys officials, coaches or the NFL were aware Brent would be on the sideline, according to a report by The Dallas Morning News.

Brent was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list last week, which permits him to be around the team and have access to the training facility.

Owner Jerry Jones said after the game that Brent's presence was in keeping with the request of Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson, to embrace and support Brent.

"She asked everybody to have Josh's back, to support him," Jones said. "His teammates asked him to come and be down there with them, so that's where we are.

"I do know that certainly there's the other side of the coin, but this is the case of the people that he's arguably the closest to really wanted him around for him."

Brent was jailed and charged with intoxication manslaughter, a felony, the morning of Dec. 8 after flipping his 2007 Mercedes with Brown inside.

Brown, a practice squad linebacker and college teammate of Brent's, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Brent was judged to be intoxicated after a roadside sobriety test and reportedly registered a 0.18 blood alcohol content, more than twice the lead legal, after a mandatory blood draw.

On Tuesday, Brent was ordered to wear an ankle device that detects alcohol consumption while awaiting trial, according to a report by WFAA-TV.

In addition to being ordered not to drink alcohol during the bond hearing, Brent was also ordered not to drive until he received a valid Texas driver's license, which he did not have when the wreck occurred.

Brent's bond was also lowered from $500,000 to $100,000.


Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire

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