Dallas Cowboy Josh Brent Charged in Teammate’s Death: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent is sitting in jail under $500,000 bond, after the car he was driving early Saturday morning flipped and killed his teammate, Jerry Brown Jr.

His lawyer, though, says the bond is excessive and the Cowboys didn’t authorize him to go that high to spring his client. Police said Brent, 24, was speeding on a state highway at 2:21 a.m. Saturday and slammed an outside curb. The car flipped at least once before coming to rest.

Brown was pronounced dead a short time later, while Brent suffered only minor scrapes and was booked into the Irving, Texas, jail to await arraignment.

Irving police spokesman said Brent was given a field sobriety test and arrested for driving drunk, and then for manslaughter when Brown died.

1. Brent Issued a Statement Sunday

I am devastated and filled with grief. Filled with grief for the loss of my close friend and teammate, Jerry Brown. I am also grief-stricken for his family, friends and all who were blessed enough to have known him. I will live with this horrific and tragic loss every day for the rest of my life. My prayers are with his family, our teammates and his friends at this time.

2. Brown’s Family Seems Forgiving

The family of Jerry Brown Jr. wish to express our sincere appreciation for all of your prayers, phone calls, flowers, visits and other acts of kindness shown during the death of our son. We would also like to send our prayers out to Josh Brent and his family as well. With kindness and love, The Family of Jerry Brown Jr.

3. Brown Had Never Gotten to Play

Brown was a linebacker on the Cowboys’ practice squad, but never got on the field. He only played in one NFL game – for the Indianapolis Colts – before joining the Cowboys. The Cowboys, while in mourning for their teammates, defeated the Cincinnati Bengals today.

4. Brown Had Played in Canada and Arena Ball

Brown played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 2011. He also played arena football, which is played indoors on a small field, for the Jacksonville Sharks in 2011 and the San Antonio Talons in 2012.

5. Brent Had Some Field Time

Brent started in five games this year for the Cowboys, and played in 12 games altogether after regular starting defensive lineman Jay Ratliff was sidelined.

6. The Car that Killed Brown also Caught Fire

When police arrived, the 2007 Mercedes was resting on its roof and part of it was on fire. Several 911 calls were made from the scene of the accident.

7. Brent Tried to Rescue His Friend

Irving police spokesman John Argumaniz, speaking at a news conference, said Brent was trying to drag Brown from the burning car.

8. Brent was Driving Faster than the Speed Limit

Police said that gouge marks and other physical evidence showed he was going faster than the 45 mph speed limit.

9. Brent is a Repeat Offender

Brent was arrested for drunk driving while he was on the University of Illinois football team in 2009, according to county records. He was suspended from the team and left school, before he was drafted by the Cowboys.

10. Brent and Brown Were Teammates Before

The two men were teammates at Illinois from 2007-09 under then-coach Ron Zook, until Brent was suspended for his DUI arrest.