Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Joshua Brent has been released on $500,000 (£312,000) bail after being charged with intoxicated manslaughter.
The 24-year-old was involved in a fatal car crash near Dallas, Texas on Saturday morning that caused the death of his Cowboys teammate Jerry Brown.
Brent is accused of being drunk while driving the car at high speed on the East State Highway 114 that flipped and then caught fire, killing Brown who was on the passenger seat.
"I am devastated and filled with grief," said Brent in a statement. "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."
Intoxicated manslaughter is a second degree felony and is punishable in Texas by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000 (£6,250).
