Darion Conner Darion Conner ( born September 28 , 1967 in Macon , Mississippi ) is a former American / arena football linebacker in the National Football League and the Arena Football League . He played for eight seasons in the NFL , from 1990 – 1997 and seven seasons ( 1999 – 2005 ) in the AFL . He was drafted in the second round ( 28th overall ) of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons . He played college football at Jackson State University . He is currently serving a 15 - year prison sentence for DUI - manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide . However , in July 2008 , an appeals court ruled that he would be given a retrial . In his career , Conner has played for the New Orleans Saints , Carolina Panthers , Philadelphia Eagles , Cleveland Browns , and Tampa Bay Storm . He is the highest NFL draft pick to ever play for the Tampa Bay Storm . High school and college careers . In high school , Conner was a three year All - State selection as a fullback and linebacker . He also lettered in track and was second in the state in the 100 meters . He later attended Jackson State , where he was a First - team All - SWAC in his four seasons there . He was named the 1989 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and attended the Senior Bowl , the East - West Shrine Game , and the Blue - Gray Classic , of which he was named the defensive MVP . He was a three - year NCAA All - America selection and was named to the Kodak and Sheraton All - American teams . Professional career . National Football League ( 1990 – 1999 ) . Conner was selected in the second round ( 28th overall ) of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons . He played for the Falcons for four seasons before joining the New Orleans Saints where he played for one season , which happened to be the best season of his career , he recorded 10 . 5 sacks . He then went and played for the expansion Carolina Panthers . He was then signed on September 18 , 1996 by the Philadelphia Eagles . He played two seasons there before being signed on December 22 , 1998 , along with defensive back Corey Dowden , as one of the original members of the " new " Cleveland Browns . But was released on June 3 , 1999 . He never played in the NFL again after being released by the Browns . Arena Football League ( 1999 – 2005 ) . After being released by the Cleveland Browns , Conner signed with the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League on July 20 . As a rookie in 1999 , he played in the final two games of the season . He recorded a sack and two tackles , in his first game , on the road against the San Jose SaberCats on July 24 . He was named Ironman of the Game in his second game , against the New England Sea Wolves . In that game he recorded his first touchdown in the AFL , a 23 - yard screen pass . In 2000 , his first full season in the AFL , Conner opened the season by sacking New England quarterback Chad Salisbury . On the play Conner also forced a fumble that led to a Storm touchdown . He missed five games during the season , but had a strong performance on July 1 against the Orlando Predators , recording a career - high six tackles and recording 2 . 5 sacks in a win . He led the Storm in sacks on the season , he also recorded 15 total tackles . In 2001 , Conner made his largest impact on defense for the Storm . He played in 12 games and recorded 20 tackles , including three for loss and 2 . 5 sacks . He also broke up two passes and forced two fumbles . He tied for second on the team in sacks . As he did in the previous season , he recorded the first team sack of the season in the season opener against the Florida Bobcats . On June 25 at Florida he returned Willie Wyatt ' s blocked field goal three yards for a touchdown . He forced fumbles in back - to - back games , on the road against the Grand Rapids Rampage at home against the Carolina Cobras . In 2002 , Conner led the team with 3 . 5 tackles for loss , finishing the regular season with 10 . 5 total tackles and one sack . In at least two games on the season he played OL / DL . In 2003 , Conner missed the first two games with an ankle injury . He was placed on injured reserve May 17 , 2003 . For the season , he recorded seven tackles ( two solo ) , one carry for six yards . In 2004 , Conner played in ten games and finished tied for second on the team with two sacks . He moved into ninth place on the Storm ' s career sacks list . He finished the season with 12 total tackles ( ten solo ) , one pass break up , and one forced fumble . In 2005 , Conner recorded one pass break up , before being arrested and charged with DUI - manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide . Arrest and conviction . In 2005 , Conner was arrested and convicted of DUI - manslaughter and Vehicular homicide , after a September 4 , 2004 car accident left a bicyclist , Jonathan Michael Conklin , 32 of Carrollwood , Florida , dead . A witness tesitfied at Conner ' s July 2005 trial , that just before 2 a . m . on September 4 , 2004 , Conner was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser on Linebaugh Avenue . They also said that Conner ' s headlights were off when he first turned onto Linebaugh . He then turned them on but swerved across the road lines . The prosecution argued that Conner veered into the bike lane and struck Conklin . Conner was convicted of DUI - manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide and is currently serving a 15 - year prison sentence , the maximum allowed punishment . However , in July 2008 , an appeals court ruled that he would be given a retrial .