Hours before the DUI accident that claimed the life of linebacker Jerry Brown, 12 Cowboys players were reportedly drinking excessively at a Dallas nightclub, according to the promoter of the club.
At least 12 Dallas Cowboys players were at the private club, Privae, Dec. 7, the club's promoter boasted on Twitter. Brent and Brown were among the players in attendance, according to USA Today.
"I have 12 Cowboys in theeee building!!!!!!!!!!Privae,'' a promoter/event coordinator for Privae Dallas tweeted late Friday. "These fools buying Ace on top of Ace!!!!" he added.
"Ace" is thought to refer to Ace of Spades Champagne, a bottle that costs around $1,000 in a private club.
Brown was fatally injured in a car accident with Brent following leaving the club. Brent, Brown's best friend and teammate, wrecked his vehicle with Brown in the passenger seat in a high-speed early morning crash, according to Yahoo News. Irving police had said Brent sustained minor injuries in the crash.
According to the Star-Telegram, the wreck was first reported at 2:21 a.m. Saturday. The first officers to arrive reported that Brent was dragging Brown from a 2007 Mercedes-Benz, which was on fire, authorities said. The car had rolled at least once, investigators have said.
Brown was pronounced dead at 2:57 a.m. at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, reported the Star-Telegram. Brent has been charged with intoxicated manslaughter, and was released on $500,000 bail on Sunday, said Yahoo News.
Not long after the accident, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission began an investigation into where the two players had been prior to the tragedy and if they were over-served alcohol, said a TABC spokeswoman. The agency can fine a business or suspend or cancel its alcohol permit if violations are found.
According to the Star-Telegram, Brent had refused to tell police where he had been drinking.
Privae manager Joe Beamer posted a statement on the club's website Monday, saying: "Privae Dallas is a club that offers its guests a special level of privacy and often caters to celebrities... The safety of our guests is very important to us, and our staff is trained to follow the regulations set forth by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission."
"We are fully cooperating with the TABC and Irving police, and respect that the event is under investigation," he added.
Monday Brent was back at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch headquarters visiting teammates and coaches, and getting treatment from medical staff, said coach Jason Garrett.
"He was obviously very distraught about the situation," Garrett said. "But again, it's a day-by-day situation, and we're all going to try to help him get through it."
According to Yahoo News, drunk driving is the biggest legal issue effecting players in the NFL. A study by the San Diego Union-Tribune found that 112 of the 385 NFL player arrests (29 percent) between 2000 and 2008 involved drunk driving, Yahoo News reported.
For its part, the NFL looks to be actively trying to solve the problem. The NFL players association offers a safe ride program to all players, according to SportingNews; the phone number is on each player's union card. The service is available any time of day for $85 per hour.
"One phone call could have prevented this tragedy,'' tweeted Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons. "It's never the one that's driving that loses there (their, sic) life literally. Condolences to Jerry family.''
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