The professional relationship between quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Donte Stallworth was brief, as the wide receiver's stint in New England lasted just one season. But it was long enough for Stallworth to leave a lasting impression.
On the field, the duo had a pretty good rapport, connecting on 46 completions for 697 yards in 2007 – not bad for a third wide receiver stuck behind Randy Moss and Wes Welker. After that season, the quarterback continued to look out for his former target, well after Stallworth left the Patriots organization, and even in the toughest of times.
Stallworth, who drove drunk and killed 59-year-old construction worker Mario Reyes outside Miami on March 14, 2009, received a supportive text message from Brady on that same day, according to SI.com.
The message read, "A lot of people know the kind of person you are. You're a good person."
Stallworth's blood-alcohol content was .126 at the time of the accident, and he was later sentenced to 30 days in jail (later reduced to 24 days), two years of "community control'" confinement, eight years' probation and 1,000 hours of community service.
