The Dallas Cowboys on Thursday announced the retirement of beleaguered defensive tackle Josh Brent. Brent, 25, made his decision as he faces an intoxication manslaughter charge, ESPN reports.
"This is the right decision for me, and something that I have given a lot of thought to," Brent said in a statement. "I am at a point where my main focus is all about getting the priorities in my life in order.
"Those priorities are more important than football. Doing the right things in life are more important than football. I love the game very much. I love my teammates, but this is the right thing for me to do."
Brent was involved in a car crash in December that killed teammate Jerry Brown. Brent's blood alcohol level at the time was 0.18, more than double the legal limit in Texas.
Because of a promise to Brown's mother, the Cowboys didn't release Brent. Instead, the Cowboys placed him on the non-injury reserve list.
"I've forgiven him," Brown's mother told reporters. "Because he has enough on his plate with just reliving the whole thing over and over, and that's going to be for the rest of his life."
Brent failed two court-ordered drug tests for marijuana and spent a week in jail this offseason after a judge revoked his bond.
Dallas drafted Brent in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL supplemental draft. He finished his career with 65 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He played in 39 games, including five starts.
Brent is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 23. His attorneys have spoken with the distract attorney's office about a possible plea agreement.
