BALTIMORE (WUSA9) -- Donte Stallworth has played for a variety of NFL offenses over his 10-year career. Now he's moving from the field to the sidelines. Stallworth is currently working as an intern with the Baltimore Ravens as a wide receiver coach.
"I had known a lot of the guys before I got here in the receiving room and I've been in this offense before in Washington. So I figured I could put my little two cents in and help out a little bit," said Stallworth.
Stallworth hasn't officially retired from football, but he wanted to see if coaching was a viable next step. He told us, "Beforehand I didn't really think it would be a definitive thing. Being here has really opened my eyes up. I have a lot more respect for the coaches and what they do.."
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh said of Stallworth, "He ran 10, 100s out here, full speed. I thought he ran pretty well watching him, but he said if he had any shred of thought that he could still play football at this level, it was dashed today when he ran the sprints out there. So, he's officially a coach, but he's done a heck of a job, and our guys like him a lot."
Player Torrey Smith also had good things to say about the player turned intern and coach. "He's great. We have Bobby Ingram who was a former receiver and having Donte, a guy I've known for while, is awesome. I love it."
But it's not just football wisdom he imparts on the players; it's some very important life lesson's as well. Donte Stallworth's career came to a halt the morning of March 14th, 2009. In the early morning hours, Donte struck and killed a pedestrian in Miami, Florida. He was later convicted of DUI manslaughter.
Stallworth was suspended from football for a year and the memory of that night stays with him always.
"I just kind of gave the guys my story and told them that they didn't want to be in a position that I'm in... And just to be able to make smarter decisions," shared Stallworth.
The Ravens were the first team to sign Donte after he was reinstated. They gave him another shot at football, and are doing that once again for his future.
Stallworth told us, "I've been really excited that he's given me the opportunities that he has even after the year suspension when they brought me in to play for the season and now bringing me in as an intern. I can't say enough I'm very grateful thankful and I'm excited to be a part of it."
