Net Worth Ranker
What Is Donte Stallworth’s Net Worth?
Donté Stallworth, a former professional American football player, has accumulated a net worth of $8 million. This sum primarily stems from his career as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) from 2002 to 2012. During his time in the NFL, Stallworth secured significant contracts and endorsement deals, contributing substantially to his overall financial standing. His net worth reflects not only his on-field earnings but also his post-NFL endeavors. Over the course of his career, Donte Stallworth made an estimated $25 million in NFL salaries.
Donte Stallworth’s NFL Career Earnings and Contracts
Stallworth’s career in the NFL saw him play for several teams, each stint contributing to his total earnings. In 2007, he signed a six-year deal with the New England Patriots, valued at $30 million. This contract was a significant milestone in his career, providing him with financial stability and recognition. However, disagreements led to his release, making him a free agent. Shortly after, Stallworth inked a seven-year contract with the Cleveland Browns reportedly worth $35 million. This deal was particularly lucrative, though his time with the Browns was marred by off-field issues, including a suspension in 2009 following a DUI manslaughter conviction, which ultimately led to the termination of his contract. Following his time with the Browns, Stallworth signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens for $900,000. He later returned to the Patriots but was subsequently released.
Early Life and Collegiate Career
Born on November 10, 1980, in Sacramento, California, Donté Stallworth’s early life laid the foundation for his future success. He attended Grant Union High School, where he excelled in both football and track and field. His athletic abilities were evident early on, setting personal bests of 10.49 seconds in the 100 meters and 7.16 meters in the long jump. Stallworth’s prowess on the football field earned him a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, where he played for the Volunteers. During his college career, he became known as “Hands” for his exceptional catching ability. By the end of his time at Tennessee, he had amassed 1,747 receiving yards, ranking ninth in school history.
NFL Career with the Saints and Eagles
Donté Stallworth began his NFL career after being drafted in the first round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2002 NFL Draft. During his rookie year, he made an immediate impact, catching eight touchdown passes. In 2004, he became a full-time starter, recording 767 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His most productive season with the Saints came in 2005, where he caught a career-high 70 receptions for 945 yards and seven touchdowns. In the summer of 2006, Stallworth was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. In his debut game, he caught six passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Despite missing three games due to a hamstring injury, he finished the season with 725 yards and five touchdowns.
Time with the Patriots, Browns, and Ravens
In early 2007, Stallworth signed a six-year deal with the New England Patriots. The Patriots had an undefeated regular season, going 16-0; however, they lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Stallworth became a free agent soon after. He then signed a seven-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, but his time there was short-lived. In 2008, he only managed 17 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown. He missed the entire 2009 season due to a suspension following his DUI manslaughter conviction, leading to his termination by the Browns in February 2010. Following his release from the Browns, Stallworth signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He suffered a broken foot in a preseason game against the Giants, delaying his debut. After returning to the active roster in October, he made his first catch as a Raven against the Carolina Panthers. However, he had a relatively quiet season, with just two receptions for 82 yards by the end of 2010.
Later NFL Years and Post-NFL Career
In the summer of 2011, Stallworth signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins. He was released and put on waivers in November but was re-signed a week later after injuries to other players. Stallworth finished the 2011 season with 22 receptions, 309 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. In March 2012, Stallworth returned to the New England Patriots. However, he was released in August but re-signed in December after an injury to Julian Edelman. He played in only one game during his second stint with the Patriots due to an ankle injury that ended his season early. In June 2013, Stallworth returned to the Redskins but was waived in August, after which he retired from the NFL. Post-retirement, in 2014, he was hired by the Huffington Post for a six-month fellowship covering national security politics. In 2016, he was hired by Valens Global as a strategy consultant, focusing on securing public venues against terrorist attacks.
Legal Issues and Personal Incidents
Donté Stallworth’s career and financial stability were significantly impacted by off-field incidents. In March 2009, he was involved in a DUI incident in Miami Beach, Florida, where he struck and killed a pedestrian. Subsequent investigations revealed his blood-alcohol content was above the legal limit. He was charged with DUI manslaughter on April 1 and surrendered to the police the following day. Stallworth entered a plea deal resulting in a sentence of 30 days in jail, 1,000 hours of community service, two years of community control, and eight years of probation. His Florida driver’s license was permanently suspended. He served 24 days in jail before being released. In March 2013, Stallworth and his girlfriend, Soleil Guerrero, were involved in a hot air balloon incident in Florida. The balloon crashed into power lines, electrocuting Stallworth and setting Guerrero on fire. Both were hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns.
