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NFL free agent Stallworth injured when hot air balloon crashes into power lines

By: Steven Wine, The Associated Press

Saturday, Mar. 16, 2013 at 3:07 PM | Comments: 0

New England Patriots wide receiver Donte Stallworth in Foxborough, Mass., June 13, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Charles Krupa

MIAMI - NFL free agent Donte Stallworth was hospitalized Saturday with serious burns after the hot air balloon carrying him and two other people crashed into power lines above South Florida, his agent said.

The 10-year NFL veteran won't suffer any permanent damage from the accident in Homestead, said Drew Rosenhaus, Stallworth's agent.

"He's going to be OK. He has some burns, but he's going to be fine," Rosenhaus said. "He will be able to continue his NFL career. The injuries are not to the extent they will jeopardize his career."

The basket carrying three hot air balloon passengers crashed into the power lines while airborne, according to Miami-Dade Police spokesman Roy Rutland.

Two passengers were injured and transported to a trauma centre, Rutland said. A third passenger in the basket was not injured.

Rutland referred additional questions to the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB had no immediate information about the crash.

Stallworth played in one game last season for the New England Patriots, then went on injured reserve with an ankle injury. He has 35 career touchdown catches.

He was suspended for the 2009 season after a car he was driving struck and killed a pedestrian in South Florida that March. He spent 24 days in jail for a DUI manslaughter conviction.

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Associated Press writer Jennifer Kay contributed to this report.

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