Cowboys welcome Josh Brent on sidelines during game

ARLINGTON, Texas -- On a day the Dallas Cowboys honored the late Jerry Brown with a moment of silence and a No. 53 decal on their helmets, Josh Brent was welcomed on the team's sideline for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brent, a third-year defensive tackle, was the driver in the alcohol-related, one-car accident that resulted in Brown's death. Brent is facing intoxication manslaughter charges. According to The Dallas Morning News, Brent registered a blood alcohol level of 0.18 -- more than twice the legal limit -- after the accident last weekend.

The team's decision to allow Brent on the sidelines created a stir on Twitter, including from CBS studio analyst Boomer Esiason.

"Am I the only one that is wondering what in the world the Cowboysare thinking with Josh Brent on the sideline?," Esiason tweeted.

Brown, who was a member of the team's practice squad and Brent's college teammate at Illinois, was buried Saturday in St. Louis.

The Cowboys, who placed Brent on the non-football illness list this week, have pledged to continue to support him as he moves through the legal process. He was at the team's headquarters during the week and has been engaged with the Cowboys' counseling staff.

His presence on the sideline, wearing a sweatshirt and Cowboys ball cap, was another demonstration of the team's support.

At a memorial service Tuesday in Dallas, Brent accompanied Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson, who asked players to forgive Brent as she has for her son's death.