Ravens sign Stallworth

BALTIMORE, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens Wednesday signed wide receiver Donte Stallworth to a one-year contract.

Terms were not disclosed.

Stallworth missed the 2009 season. He was suspended after driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.126 and killing a Miami pedestrian. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated him Feb. 7 and the Cleveland Browns released him the next day.

He worked out with the Ravens Wednesday.

"There was a time I felt the mistake I made was the end of the world for me. I've had trouble putting it into words," Stallworth said on the team Web site. "So, when teams started inviting me for workouts and the Ravens called, I was excited.

"It means a lot that they would be willing to take a chance with me."

Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said team officials gave a lot of thought to hiring Stallworth.

"He made a huge mistake. There's no doubt about that. He has paid a significant price for that and, as he has said, he carries a heavy weight," Newsome said.

Stallworth pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Mario Reyes, 59, last summer. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, of which he served 24, as well as two years house arrest, eight years probation and 1,000 hours of community service. He also reached a financial settlement with Reyes' family.

Stallworth was drafted 13th by New Orleans in 2002 out of the University of Tennessee and scored a career-high eight touchdowns his rookie year. Cleveland signed him to a $35 million, seven-year contract in 2008, following seasons with Philadelphia and New England.

Stallworth has a career 296 catches for 4,383 yards and 32 touchdowns.