Tank's gone

Tank Johnson had 548,000 reasons to tow the line and could have bought a lot of Slim Jims with those reasons.

Well Guys Tank is gone! I really hope he'll get his life together. To be honest I thought we had to many D-tackles anyway. He was an important part of our Superbowl team. But how stupid can you be. He got so much support from the Bears, from Teammates, coaches, and upper management, and he goes and hangs out @ 3:30am. In one way I feel bad for him. Then the other side of me are applauding the Bears for this move.

This is jumping the gun. What if the blood test comes back with no signs of alcohol? The Bears will have released a very good player for speeding (and 15 mph over the speed limit at 3:30 a.m. doesn't sound like much of a speeding ticket to me). The Bears better hope that the blood test comes back 0.20 or something like that.

With Dusty Dvoracek waiting in the wings, Bears Fans will quickly forget Tank Johnson!!!!!!

Tough break for Tank. I respect the Bears for cutting him. They might have helped him in the long run. He just found out how cold the world can be. I wish him well.

Roman responds: You would think he would have learned that when his friend was murdered or when he spent time in jail.

Players like this are just a cancer to the team no matter how good they are!

I feel bad for both Tank and the Bears organization. I was really pulling for Tank to get himself together after serving his sentence, and I hoped his time in jail would do it. It didn't, however, and now he's gone. Hopefully getting released is the "rock bottom" that Tank needs to hit for him to finally see how self-destructive his behavior has been. The Chicago Bears organization is to be commended for giving Tank chance after chance and offering him as much personal support as they did. Ultimately, though, Jerry Angelo's comment that "the effort needs to come from both sides" is spot-on. Even if the blood test has him under the legal limit, he shouldn't be putting himself in these kinds of situations. Tank just wasn't yet ready to make a serious enough effort. Hopefully, he now is.

Smart move by the Bears. Even if the test comes beck negative- Tank was on suspension for his BEHAVIOUR, and going out until 3:30 getting pulled over and acting suspicous enough for a blood test, does not bode well for you'r person. The bears want to remain a stand up organization, and this move is consistent with that message.

How hard can it be to be home by midnight, and why are athletes driving while intoxicated anyway? His situation makes no sense and based on general principle, he deserved to be cut. The fact the Bears cut him so quickly speaks volumes. I don't think they care if he was barely intoxicated or not at all. They operate under the premise that we supported you, and Tank saw that as the organization is being soft. Tank Johnson is a waste of talent. The sooner he realizes that, he will move on and begin to seek employment elsewhere, but some oddball team who needs a defensive tackle will take a chance and sign him. I'll miss Tank, but he needs to get it together.

These celebrity/athlete DUI's are absolutely ridiculous. These people are datgum millionaires. Why can't they just hire a driver when they know they are going out drinking. Even if Tank's blood test shows he was under the legal limit, why even take that chance? He knew he was under a zero tolerance policy, so why risk doing anything that could get him in trouble. What an idiot.

Bears released him due more to the fact he was out at 3:30am than anything else...Tank needs to know better, he had NO room for error. Being out at 3:30am doesn't exactly prove to your employer (who stuck their neck out for you after you lied to them once already) that you are wising up. Tank had his chance and he blew it.

The Bears will be alright without him...he was an average player. They may need to get at least one other DT to play with Harris, Dusty, and Adams before the season starts. Let's just hope THarris stays healthy, that is key!

Good riddance to him and all of these spoiled & coddled athletes who think that they don't have to live according to the same rules as the rest of society. They get paid unbelievable amounts of money to play a game, and instead continue to perform ridiculous actions off-field to taint not only themselves, but the team, city, and league that they represent.

I'm also sickened by the excuses that many of them use, which is "Oh, I grew up poor and have a lot of friends that get me into trouble." Or "I'm from the hood and this is the lifestyle that I'm used to." Firstly, grow up and act like an adult and decent member of society! Secondly, if you're lucky enough to have a professional sporting career while the rest of us do "regular" jobs for a fraction of your paycheck, find some new friends, or surround yourselves with more mature people.

All leagues should dump any players who consistently get into trouble, like this fool, and Pacman Jones.

The man was driving 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. Are you kidding me? Do you know how easy that is to do without even realizing it? If he was not toting guns, resisting arrest or smoking weed, this should not even be an issue. Do you we know why they are telling us that they have a law that says you could be DUI even if you are under the legal limit? Because he probably was not drunk!

Its hard to have sympathy for Tank at this point, for he agreed to very strict guidelines and THAT includes no more contact with the law and speeding at any level does just that. When my license was suspended, I spent over $500 per month taking cabs to prevent from driving.

Roman responds: Do you live in Illinois? We did a series on all these people who still drive on suspended licenses.

In view of some of his past actions, I think the Bears did the right thing. Speeding at 3:30 in the morning (even if he wasn't drinking), is putting him in the precarious situation of possible getting into worse trouble (such as a club shooting) again. With all of the money he makes, I think he could have met the Bears half-way in terms of living up to his side of the deal...they went above and beyond in trying to help him. I hope he finds himself soon and settles some of the demons that appear to rise up within him from time to time. How many of us wish we had the talent to play in professional sports...don't throw it away Tank!

I gotta problem with using athletics as an ongoing public morality play. Especially with reference to pro football. These guys risk head injury from blunt force trauma, and we are supposed to be concerned if they smoke a few blunts. Clearly, society has already declared them expendable, why can't society speak with a consistent voice?

Somewhere there's a village missing its idiot. Goodell & the Bears (top to bottom, fans to angelo) went above and beyond to give Tank the lead to run with. He chose to hang himself instead, and I can't blame the Bears organization one bit for ridding themselves of a lingering issue that kept dragging them down.
As for jumping the gun...if my boss said "don't screw up again or else", and I got pulled over less than two weeks later late late late at night, and with booze on my breath to boot...well...I wouldn't be surprised when the "or else" landed on my head.

Good move for the Bears. Tank has been a constant disraction for the past 6 months and he seems to always find himself in or around trouble. Perhaps the blood work will vindicate him this time, but what's a father and guy just released from Jail doing speeding around in a car at 3:30am in the morning. Shouldn't he be at home with his kids?

He wasn't even that good anyway!

This should have happened a long time ago. An athlete should only get so many chances to get his act straight. By no means should they receive special treatment; I respect the Chicago Bears for making the right decision. Based on Tank's history, I am convinced he was probably high or drunk and probably both. His talent is undeniable, but can he be replaced? There are 11 players on each side of the ball in football, any player (besides maybe the quarterback) can usually be supplanted by another despite what the situation might be. Good job Bears for setting an example, and goodbye Tank. Hope you enjoyed the SuperBowl.

The Bears management better hope he had something in his system when he was pulled over - otherwise they just gave away a good defensive tackle to another NFL team for nothing.

They probably should have waited until the blood test came back.

I have to say that the Bears gave him many opportunities to get going on the right path. The Bears and Lovie stood behind him until this afternoon. I have to give it to the organization; they gave TJ the ole "one more infraction or you are gone" spiel and they stuck to it. The Titans went a different way; they have kept their mouths shut about Pacman. They have not stood by PacMan the way Lovie has stood by Tank. The Titans are probably afraid to say one more time and you are gone to ole Pacman. He should go too.

I think the Bears and the NFL made an example of Tank, a warning to other players. A warning to the rookies coming in. The current NFL governing body has stated a zero tolerance policy. The sad thing is I don't know if this was the right move for Terry Johnson. With the 7 game suspension I doubt anyone will pick him up off of waivers, if he is even eligible, and then he has to act as a free agent? I see this as possibly the end of his career. So was It the right thing to do? I suppose. Would I have done it? I don't know.

Having said that, he might also be sacking Rex while playing for the Packers in the second half this year.

GOOD JOB CHICAGO!! I'd love to see every team step up and dump the Michael Vicks, Tank Johnsons and Pacman Jones' of the world and show them the low road and get players, like Mike Ditka, who really want to play the game "for the love of the game". Back to basics - love it or get out. Are you ready for some football?????

That is a tough break for the young man. I personally like Tank Johnson I believe that maybe the Bears could have provided some counseling for him. Because although 15 miles over the isn't too bad coupled with the fact he could have been drinking let's look at this at face value. Could it have over zealous officers who seeing that it was Tank Johnson decided to make a federal issue out of it. But for him to be out like that further lets everyone know that Mr. Johnson is dealing with some more serious issues. Tank hang in there somebody will take a chance on you again but you have to pull it in!

To those people saying what if he was" under the legal limit", he is suspected of driving under the influence. That does'nt mean just alcohol. If that were the case, he would have been given the Breathilizer and not a blood test. The Police believe he was under the influence of something. He violated my cardinal rule. Don't commit two violations at once. If drinking, don't speed and if speeding don't drink!

Roman responds: From what I understand, he chose to take the blood test instead of the Breathalyzer.

This move shows that Lovie was serious about the "one more chance" approach. He wasn't just trying to cover Tank's behind. Oh well, what's next?

This move was long overdue. They should have cut him last December.

Well the time has come for the Bears to admit they should have cut ties with this thug back when his home was raided. It is a privilige to paly in the NFL not a right. Tese guys are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars and they make a mockery of those who spend their hard earned money to support them. Tank don't let the door hit u where the good lord split u.

Well the time has come for the Bears to admit they should have cut ties with this thug back when his home was raided. It is a privilige to paly in the NFL not a right. Tese guys are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars and they make a mockery of those who spend their hard earned money to support them. Tank don't let the door hit u where the good lord split u.

Tank who?

what would the bears do with Paris Hilton

From a team stand-point It was the right thing to do. But the reality of the matter is that someone else will sign him for probably more than he was going to make with the BEARS. How will he learn from this? Maybe Lance Briggs should do everything that Tank has done so he can get cut loose too. Bottom line:someone in the NFL will sign him. Who wanna bet he makes more than he was scheduled to make,here? It's a reaction that was expected since they did give him plenty of chances. If the bars close at 1:00 a.m. how drunk could he be? 2 1/2 hours is a lot of time for alcohol to lose it's potency. I met him the day after he got out of jail and he looked wasted. Not saying that he was,maybe it was his demeanor. 15 miles over the speed limit? Chad Johnson did that racing a horse. I don't drink and I don't have much use for people who drink AND drive. I hope he get his life on track. But honestly: 15 miles over the limit? That ain't wreckless and you can easily go 40 in a 25. Maybe he was rushing home so he could be more like the homebodies who never go out and think that people who do are asking for trouble. I love traveling late at night to avoid the jerks who clog up the streets while talking on the phone and reading the paper. The only fear I have is hitting a deer. I think it's silly that people's vision of life is clouded because someone is doing something you don't. ANYONE who drinks and drive need to go to jail. But that's just my vision. If the politicos thought the same way there would be a lot more people in jail. Evidently, they have a soft spot for drinking and driving. Even District Attorneys do it in broad day light and her co-workers let her.

Hate to see him go,but until he can show that he deserves the chances he was given, he should not be a Chicago Bear.

Everybody makes mistakes, Tank was not ready to learn from them and become a better person.

It's just unfortunate that the whole organization pulled together for this guy. Every member of the Chicago Bears was proud to be a part of a "family" that didn't turn its back on its own. Now all that is down the drain. Way to be there for your family member, fellas. He just smacked you all in the face. I've been a huge fan of Tank's, and I don't really care what athletes do off the field, but Tank knew how sensitive his situation was, and he ignored it, made more bad decisions, and now has paid the price. He might as well have given all his teammates the finger.

Tank will now find himself drunk, high, broke, washed up, and lamenting what might have been. Way to go.

Tank, FIND a damn chauffer! You can afford it. It does not matter you are twenty-five years of age, want to party, and enjoy life as normal twenty-somethings do. Tank, YOU can NOT DO this without guidance and guardians. YES, Tank it is unfair, BUT get over it and do NOT BLOW THE MONEY! PAY people NOT to lie and suck up to you, BUT PEOPLE WHO WILL TELL YOU "TANK, IT IS TIME TO GO HOME", "TANK, THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA"! Yes Mr. Johnson you are being treated like a child, but GET OVER IT!

After your playing days are over and you have retired with millions in the bank, simply look back on the NFL as a passing phase, and move to the next phase in your life as an entreprenuer. Buy the automibles you like, but allow others to take you where you want to go until that time. I know this will invade on your personal, private time, BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!

When wanting personal time to clear your head, go on camping trips into national parks, and DO NOT TAKE GUNS WITH YOU! First thing someone will do is shoot you and claimed they saw a big black bear. ( I am NOT being funny about that either )Yes Tank, someone will have to drive you and your family there as well.

God Bless Brotha
--Home of the Free my _ _ _ --

Thumbs up to Stan, pd, Jeff, and Dwan H. Tank needs to thank the Lord for letting him experience a Super Bowl. I would have cut him before then for sure. Maybe the Raiders need another loser to replace Moss.

He gone!

I'm amused that people are defending this guy. Jermaine writes "The Bears better hope that the test comes back 0.20 or something like that". I can only assume that you're late to the game. Tank was released because of a pattern of offenses. For crying out loud, he was just released from jail. Not to mention he was party to his "best friend" being killed. But I guess those things don't matter in an enabler's world. The man is just keeping him down. The guy couldn't even fake taking responsibility for his actions during Super Bowl media day. He pulled the race card. I know the odds are slim, but if you ever have the pleasure of running into an employee of the Bears who is not a player ask them what they think of the great Tank Johnson. He was universally reviled within the organization for the way he treated employees. I can verify that many employees of the Bears are jumping for joy that they don't have to deal with that thug anymore. I have no sympathy for him.

Roman responds: I know employees of the Bears, and while I never asked, I never heard he was reviled. His teammates obviously loved him, as did the coaches and front office.

I hate to see Tank go, but he stepped up to the gallows, placed the noose around his neck and pulled the lever himself!! Whether guilty this time or not, he HAD to know that he had put Bears management against the wall. He's like a blind man at bat with his fans, teammates, manager, and even the pitcher telling him that if he doesn't swing, he'll get an intentional walk. He still can't resist taking swings.

The sad part of it all is that he is going to look back on this and realize that the night life, drinking, guns, etc. mean nothing compared to his family, friends, teammates, and career. I really believed Tank when he said that he wanted to change (of course, I also believed my President when he said "I did not have sex with that woman").

Roman responds: What's your definition of sex? And what's your definition of "is"?

I think it was a good move. These guys are suppose to be professional. My question to TANK is : How old are you? It's time to act your age you big dummy.

Feel sorry for "tank"!? Are you kidding me. The guy has the world in his hands and he blows it. I feel sorry for the guy who got cut that made room for this guy on the team. Tank is just a criminal who knows how to play football. Unfortunantly another team will pick him up because their are no morals in sports when it comes to the almighty $$$$$$. Hopefully they will add to his suspension.

WELL IT IS ABOUT TIME GUNS, DRUGS AND BOOZE WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO HIM THEN HIS JOB AND HIS FANS.

They should have canned his a** when he got locked up. If his blood test shows he wasn't drunk the Bears and Angelo are going to look stupid. Oh wait... Angelo is stupid. Why can't WRECKS be a trouble maker too.

"God Bless Brotha
--Home of the Free my _ _ _ --"

Touche? Yes. Indeed.

"of course, I also believed my President when he said "I did not have sex with that woman"

For those kids at home who don't understand this, President Clinton told a lie. He is the first President to ever have sex with an intern. He is also the first President to ever lie about having sex with an intern.

Meanwhile in Baghdad, a young boy sheds a tear for the embattled Republican party...

Now Tank can fully dedicate himself to being the NFL Man of the Year. It would be harder to do if he had to play ball and practice all of the time. We should expect great things from Tank now. The Dalai Lama has never had competition like this.

I think it is absolutely ridiculous that they let him go and they haven't even recieved all the facts. To me they are jumping the gun, the bears are only looking at the negative publicity that Tank is bringing on them, what about all he's done for the team? Tank is experiencing some problems right now, yeah we all get that. Maybe he's trying to reach out, everyone isn't capable of coming right out saying that they need help, we see that he does. But instead of being there for him it seems like everyone is turning there backs on him. Some people have convinced themselves that the Bears head coaches and management as well as his team mates has stood by him and for a little while they did, but now they've left him flying in the wind. It's real easy to be there for people when they really don't need you, but the true test of friendship comes when the chips are down.

Roman responds: They were there for him after he got arrested for the third time in 18 months. They were there for him after his friend got killed. They visited him in jail. The guy's a grown man, isn't he? And it's a business. Sometimes he has to be there for himself.

It was the right move and I really don't care if Tank Johnson gets his life together or not. If I were in his shoes I would have never been given numerous chances from my employer or from the law so to hell with him.

About time some team in the NFL stood up and said enough of this mess.

Oh no. Poor Tank. I wish he had learned his lesson. I remember him clobbering quite a few guys for no gain in a Bears uniform. I hope he is able to learn some wisdom from this experience and come back to the Bears next year (ha ha, as if that would happen). In any case, this sucks. First tank is out for 8 weeks, then it's forever, which is much worse.

Should wait for the blood works though, make sure he is guilty. What made the Bears so much more sure than the police that Tank really was drunk? I had a friend who got a DWI for drinking a certain type of Fruitopia. Charges were dismissed when his mother demonstrated into a breathalizer the effect of this drink on one's breath. I know it sounds out there, but the Bears should have made sure he was guilty before pronounicng a verdict.

I hope Tank gets back on the right track and starts limiting his barbarian expressions to the playing field, and I hope he doesn't ever come back to bite the Bears in the ass.

On the other hand, why do we expect our football players to be smart? Is that a realistic expectations from people who are told by society that there are no limits as long as you play football well and don't kill or hurt anybody. He actually didn't kill or hurt anybody, come to think of it, although he did act like an idiot with guns. The Bears should have kept him. Yep, I'll be the dissenter. I like Tank. He'll do o.k. Darn it.

Tank Johnson still doesn't get it. "No" means no; not a little bit more. He came back to Hallas Hall yesterday, after this latest arrest to ask for one more chance. After three arrests, seeing his buddy killed and time in jail, he gets arrested for speeding and suspicion of impairment. Also, today's paper says Johnson refused a breathalyzer test. Johnson just doesn't get it...not until he reaches his bottom.

Tanisha, you are exactly right, the Bears are only looking at the negative publicity brought onto them by Terry Johnson. Good point.

how many last chances is a person supposed to get? how long can you continue to stand by someone that refuses to help himself before that person drags you under too? I can totally understand the Bears move in releasing Tank. I once allowed a buddy of mine to move into my house when he was down and out but also laid down some definite rules, no drugs in my house, no inviting people over without first clearing it with me (especially overniters) and stay out of trouble with the cops. He never broke rule #1 but rule #2 was a constant battle because I had a hard time getting him to realize he was a guest in my house not a tenant and I did not like waking up in the morning to find women I didn't know in my house. the final straw was when the cops showed up at my door with a warrant for his arrest for numerous tickets he had failed to pay and back support he owed, all of which he had assured me he had taken care of. He called me later that day from jail asking me to post his bail. I not only told him I was not about to post his bail but when ever they did let him out he was not coming back here to live, I had had enough. I had been willing to help him but he had proven he wasn't helping himself and I wasn't going down the tubes for him no matter how much I liked him. I still run into him occasionally and he hasn't changed and found someone else to take him in. I just wonder how long before he screws that situation up too.

Reading these emails by those pathetic bleeding hearts that want to give Tankless another chance do not have a clue what it takes to win a Super Bowl. Can't people see what he really is, a loser. He'll be picked up by some desperate team and let go again until we read that he is bankrupt or dead. Only because he was a Chicago Bear that fans gave him slack. Twice. What if he was an ordinary joe on the street. Would you want still want to give him the same break? No loss here. What ever happened to the Walter Payton's of the NFL?

A DUI itself is enough for a player to lose the respect of his team, and cause a media fest. In Tank's case, it demostrated that he didn't take his probationary status serious. Driving drunk at 3:00AM says all we need to know about Tank at this point, he ain't changin his lifestyle for nobody, not even for big NFL money. Let's be honest, he has a street mentality and he's young, and with his record, forget about it. Good riddance!

Isn't this guy married with a couple of kids? Couldn't his wife keep him on a shorter leash? I'm sure she's really upset now that his money may be drying up. No matter how lucky you think you are being married to an NFL player, if you can't control your man, he isn't worth having no matter how much money he makes!

Cutting Tank Johnson means one less distraction for the Bears. As such, he cannot be the scapegoat in the future if the team fails to meet expectations.

The sad part is that his failure will make it more difficult for organizations to trust future talented players who come from trouble and or tough backgrounds.

Cutting Tank Johnson means one less distraction for the Bears. As such, he cannot be the scapegoat in the future if the team fails to meet expectations.

The sad part is that his failure will make it more difficult for organizations to trust future talented players who come from trouble and or tough backgrounds.

Nathan Kirkwood III/Chicago

I just heard yesterday that Chris Benoit is dead. Rest in peace man.

I would totally understand releasing him for a dui, drug possession, pretty much anything except for a speeding ticket. What if the guy was just going to get a ho ho, and was excited about getting home to eat it. I know I would be.

Poor judgement, poor judgement, and then again, poor judgement. You could have argued his second chance was broken when they found guns in his house after ALREADY being on probation. You could then argue he got another second chance after finding guns the second time. You could maybe then argue he got a second chance after his friend was shot dead. I don't know about you everybody else, but that's about 3 more second chances then I would have received. Yes, he didn't hurt anybody, but these were all examples of "bad judgement". I don't care what the blood tests show, unless he was responding to emergency for a family or friend, being out there was another example of bad judegement. Some never learn. I feel bad too guys, I was rooting for him too. But he's an idiot who took advantage of the situation once again.

The Bears were right to release Tank Johnson. He demonstrated an unwillingness tto live up to the promises he made to change. How could he have avoided this? Perhaps he should have made up his mind that for a one year period he would lead a relatively boring life - stay out of clubs , bars and be home by 10 pm and stay in for the night. Don't drive after drinking - even he had to take a cab or bus home. In other words stay away from the fun times for a while because obviously what Tank considers "fun" has kept him in trouble. However I guess the excitement of driving and speeding at 3:30 AM was more important to Tank than an NFL career and salary. Oh well maybe he could play in the Canadian Football League. Yes he would get paid in Canadian dollars but since their dollar is nicknamed the "Loonie", it would appropriate for Tank.

As far as the latest blunder, he's suppose to be innocent until proven guilty but we all know that companies work opposite of this. You are guilty until proven innocent in companies eyes. In Schaumburg where I live, it's common to see cars going 40 in a 25 zone and especially before 6:00 A.M. The question I would have is what was he doing out at 3:30 in the morning. Not a good move.

As far as the latest blunder, he's suppose to be innocent until proven guilty but we all know that companies work opposite of this. You are guilty until proven innocent in companies eyes. In Schaumburg where I live, it's common to see cars going 40 in a 25 zone and especially before 6:00 A.M. The question I would have is what was he doing out at 3:30 in the morning. Not a good move.

Tank Johhson is just another of the many coddled athletes, who since early in their lives have been set apart from mainstream society. Their distain of laws, legal and moral, along with bad behavior have alway been overlooked because of their athletic abilities. The rest of us in our lives have to toe the mark with little if any leeway given us, so should it be for him and others like him.
Tank was given an opportunity of a life time and was the envy of any kid who ever played their hearts out in football at any level and he threw it away. Good riddance and he has absolutely no pity coming from this end.

Good move. This is the guy who had automatic weapons in his house when he was on probation for weapons charges. This is the guy who was suspended for one game by the Bears and told to chillax, then goes out clubbing and watches his best friend get shot to death. This is the guy who spent two months in jail, was handed an eight-game suspension by a league cracking down on unlawful behavior and said he wanted to become the NFL Man of the Year. Then he's out until 3:30 in the morning (that's 5:30 CDT) and possibly inebriated while driving as soon as he leaves the Bears. What do you want? Do you want Lovie to walk around with Tank on a leash? Lock his doors from the outside?

And with the new commish Tank's actions weren't just hurting himself, they could have potentially hurt the Bears (beyond the suspension) with season-long suspensions, fines or subtracted draft picks.

Tank was a great player but he is still a lousy person. Good riddance.

I am so tired of athletes who make outrageous amounts of money so they think they are above the law. Money does not equate with brains. I don't care who you are, if you break the law you suffer the consequences.

Bye-bye, Tank. See ya never. Unfortunately, our main problem is still here. Our quarterback still sucks.

A classic case of what happens when you give people with the mental capacity of a pigeon millions of dollars.

I don't have a problem with the Bears cutting him because they said he had no room for mistakes. That being said, I have a problem with media morons like Jay Mariotti that want Tank Johnson's career ruined, yet Tony Larussa and Jerry Buss were each busted for DUI's and nobody is on a soap box trying to get them punished! Basically everybody loves Goddell, David Stern, and Selig because they are keeping Black guys in line, and saying forget it when Whites do the same thing.

Just think that Tank can be given another chance. At least wait until the the results of the test are in. If going 15 miles over the speed limit is the worst he's going to do - then there is no problem.

It's simple. This guy continues to be a self inflicted high risk in the "showing up for work" skill. If he is in jail, court, police station whatever, he isn't capable of showing up for work and nothing else matters.

I do commend the Bears for all they did to "help" Tank, but.......I actually felt like they should have cut him before the Superbowl.....the reason they didn't is because they felt that Tank gave them a better chance at winning.

Now flash forward to the present. Tank was already due for an 8 game suspension, and with this incident it's possible he would have gotten a year. The Bears cut him because with the 8 gamer and possibly more, he became highly expendable. They didn't cut him because they were tired of him, they cut him because the team felt he couldn't help them any longer.

I must admit, that I do feel a certain pain for this young man(he is only 25 and that's recently) I believe. It's difficult coming to realizations about how the world works, and he is learning a very important lesson that no older person ever gave(or that did and he ignored). It doesn't matter how smart, talented, beautiful or whatever a person is or has.....anyone's issues can exceed their usefulness and thus wear out their welcome. We have to take responsibilities for our own actions.

they didnt really need tank anyway. the only reason i could see to have kept him last year, running out of d-tackles. no one else was avalable. now this year its, SEE YA. dont need your sevices any longer. with that distraction gone now it is time to get down to buisiness and bring home the vince lumbardy trophy. (they should change the name to reflect the true master mind behind pro football, can i get an amen?) for the young bucks in the crowd, that would be a mr george h. hales.
any hoo getting back to the subject at hand. with tommy and crew back to full strength this season, including " my man" mark anderson, the d-line should be the best in the league. all the pieses are in place, as long as grossman "PREPARES", then the bears, "our bears", should rule this season. "CAN I GET AN AMEN?"

Roger Goodell is the worst thing that could happen to this league. You look at how all the other sports just let their players live like celebrities, and now the NFL wants everyone to stay home on weekends, and not visit bars and strip clubs. Why does the league think that it has the right to control the lives of it's players? This America and they have the right to do what they want just like anyone else in this country. Granted Tank has broken the law, and should be punished by the country's legal system just like everyone else, but like it or not he's an entertainer not a school teacher, or minister, and he should be allowed to return to work after his punishment is over. I hope that when Tank's blood test comes back it's extremely low, and he signs with the Packers or Vikings, and has a great year, and the Bears coaches, management and fans are all wondering why they allowed Roger Goodell's "witch hunt" control the decisions of an NFL franchise.

Roger Goodell is the absolute BEST thing that could happen to this league. I just hope this spills over into other sports and our society. Yeah, that's right!!!

I am so tired of self righteous white, and black elite america making this young black man out to be some out of control thug!first of all all he was doing was probably headed home going forty mph in 25mph zone!Something anyone could do.this is an obvious attempt to show so called thugged out black america that we dont understand why you like the things you like(rap music,dreadlocks ,pretty women,fast cars,staying up late,etc.) So we r going to make an example of you so all the others will be scared of us.I mean i realy don't think this would be as big of a deal if it was say Brian Urlacher just leaving a freinds house after a coulple of drinks speeding home down lakeshore drive ,in fact if he was pulled over the cop would probably ask for his autograph and say have a nice night mr. urlacher!That probably explains that article in that magazine last year with all the black nfl players who were arrested compared to there white counterparts who are lauded as good ole boys after going to a bar and drinking and messing with pretty girls and driving fast cars!after all boys will be boys they say ,wink wink!The way you and the media r potraying this ,you would have think he shot someone ala V.P Cheney!And i expect this reaction from racist,segragated Chicago,but the national coverage is ridiculous!I mean they r telling a grown man he has a curfew! I haven't had one of those since high school!Harry(the mayor of rush street )Carey would roll over in his grave! i just heard sell-out Jim (i wanna be white so bad )Rose say on the radio that Tank Johnson shouldnt wear a T-shirt bacause it depicts rap music and that shows what type of person he is!I got news for you Jim not all blacks want to be white or are able 2 hang out at the country club and listen to wayne newton! I mean he even decried dreadlocks ,and he has the worse haircut on television!The crimes perpuated on black america cant be erased just because you give a brother a million dollar contract! i have to go now but i will say more on this issue later!

Maybe I missed something or the story is wrong. Has it been decided that Tank was driving under the influence, I thought the reports had not been finalized yet. Did he violate a curfew? Was he anymore guilty by speeding at 3:30 AM. At what time is camp broken at Lake Forest and many times players leave camp speeding at more than twenty miles over the limit? When all of Tank's troubles began they knew if they were going to keep him or not. Let him go then. But after speeding as any driver has done more than once, you live in a glass house, don't throw bricks.He has not embarresed the Bears any more than those drinking and visiting gun ranges and other's. DON'T THROW BRICKS, MEDIA.

Oh well, My first thoughts is that the cop was a jerk. It seems that he could have just given him a ticket and a stern warning but instead the cop wanted fame.

This is not 2 excuse him 4 being stupid enough to ride around at 3:30am in redneck Arizona in a 20mph zone. U R asking 4 trouble if u do that in my Nothern Suburb.

He should have been at a place where he could crash until daylight or catch a cab, he had options but he obviosly is detached from the real world. After being in Crook County 4 45 days I would be working out and staying straight so that I could make enough money in the AVG 4.5 NFL years. He was not even an established star player just a big body surrunded by NFL defense all stars. He can be replaced. He was in a perfect team that could have made him look better than he is, now he must fight for any chance with any other NFL team.

Okay, for those of you that are diluding yourselves into thinking Tank's blood alcohol level blood test might be under the legal limit, you should read the articles more closely. HE REFUSED THE BREATHALYZER TEST. There is only one reason you do that. YOU KNOW YOU WON'T PASS. He had more chances to clean up his act than he should have and giving him another would make the Bears organization a laughing stock. So stop defending him and be glad they had the courage to do the right thing and let him go in spite of his talent. Have you thought about how much control management would have over the rest of the team had they given him yet another chance? You can throw discipline out the window. I actually have much more respect for Bears management now than ever. And you think Roger Goodell is a bad guy? Why? Do you think guys like PacMan Jones and all the felons from the Bengals should just get a pass because they are in the NFL? And please don't try to say it's the nature of the beast. 20, 20, 40 years ago you didn't have players being arrested like they are today. It's been a lack of discipline and I applaud Goodell for putting a stop to it. It's great to see that the players in the NFL will have to abide by the law just as the rest of us do.

Roger Goodell will not stay a strict disciplinarian. No one ever does. He'll go too far and mess some team's money up and they will find out something about him and he'll quit before it gets out. Why would only one sport find the perfect person to run roughshod over teams and other sports can't? Because right now he's punishing players who should have been punished. How silly did he look when he fined Urlacher for wearing a hat that wasn't sanctioned by the NFL during S.B. weekend? It's easier to rule over ruffians as long as they are blantant like those guys have been. But when he go too far and suspend some star or refuse to suspend a star he will be shown to be just another guy who has a job and he'll protect it by doing something that isn't so great. My grandmother or anyone with any sense would've suspended those guys who were suspended. What's so great about suspending riff-raff? Goodell for President of The United States!!! Now that we've proclaimed him great when will we find out he dress up in women's undies or had a broke-back roommate in college? No one is perfect and people usually change their tune when some real truth comes out. " Shooting Black Bear"? How was that a serious question or statement?

maurice t., You really are way off base. I don't give a crap what you think but I don't see anyone else trying to help you so I just want you to get that feedback. Maybe it will prompt you to get some help. Just trying to help. Plus, I know you don't realize it but some of us actually try to support meaningful discussion in an attempt to resolve issues and make things better. So, when someone like you goes off in the wrong direction it detracts from the valid discussion that takes place here and there. How about cooling it for a while and getting a clue before you rant all over the place again! How about it?

I hate to see tank leave the bears but he should have known he would be watched any where he was known to be.So like any thinking person he would have realized that theres nothing like kicking back and having a drink or how ever many at home.I agree with some that the bears should have waited for the test results were in before releasing him it could be nothing worth any thing at all at 3:00a.m. like I said theres no place like home

John | June 26, 2007 11:15 PM I have been advised (in a class) by a top notch attorney to NEVER BLOW. I dont drink but this advice stayed with me because he stopped class to advise us. His advice was to cooperate and do everything but blow. He said you have a chance in court with everything but this kind of evidence. An arrest is not a conviction. And if possible...NEVER represent yourself. You know the old adage...

Gale, yes - it seems like you are missing something here. Have you read about Tank's arrests in the past, the second chances given to him by the Bears (and NFL) and how about the stint in the clink? How hard is it not to have contact with the police? For someone with Tank's history, and given the fact he had no margin for error, he should not have been out at 3:30 a.m. Nothing good happens at that hour. Everyone has sped from time to time, but most of us are not convicted felons trying to salvage a career in the NFL. The media is reporting the news, that's not "throwing bricks." Tank Johnson is a complete embarrassment to the Bears, the fans, the NFL, the city of Chicago, and to his children.

I'm a Bears Fan that lives in Dallas. Trade him to the Friggin Cowboys! They're used to having annoying nuisance players on their team. Not to mention lawbreakers...

Really Maurice T, you need to relax homie. Nobody is saying that giving a black NFL player a contract is going to erase the inequities of slavery. But, its not like my Irish forefather had it much easier. I am all for reperations and making up to the black community for years and years of being oppressed. But when it comes to the individual, there is NO EXCUSE. We have seen enough examples of people pulling themselves from abject poverty and bettering their lives to know that you are locked into your lot in life forever. Its the people like you, who look for excuses and justifications for your OWN problems that are the real problem. When a group of people is targeted for injustice, it is the duty of the just to right the wrong. But when an indivisual uses that injustice to perpetuate his own pathetic exsistance and to justify to themselves why they can CHEAT the system, or say things like "the man is keeping them dow" or when they teach this stuff to their kids. They become the NEW problem.

Tank had a million second chances. You cant possibly think this is the first time he did something wrong. And lets be honest buddy, he did some stuff that was WRONG.

I like to party and drink and even like rap and fast cars, and cute woman, and guns and military stuff, but I dont combined them all into every night of my life.

COME ON DUDE!!!!! YOUR MAKING BLACKS LOOK WORSE BY EVEN TRYING TO MAKE THIS ABOUT BEING BLACK.

Its about being a dumb ass. PERIOD.

Its like that quote, you can make something out of your life, or you can make excuses, but you cant make BOTH!

BBB, you hope what of Goodells spills into society?

Roman responds: As I've said before, it's impossible for us to know what it's like to be a black person in this society. Trying to imagine is pointless. That doesn't mean it's easy for white people, but we don't get discriminated against because of the color of our skin.
And I don't think I want to take this much further. Both sides have had their say, so I may be reluctant to post any more philosophical statements on race. Thank you.

BBB, I'll try and help Maurice--

--Maurice, it's arguments like yours that make white people think anytime a marginalized person points out anything the white establishment doesn't like, they're simply "playing the race card." Tank Johnson isn't an out-of-control thug? I don't know about the thug part, but I'd say getting caught doing 15 mph over the speed limit in a residential area at 3am while intoxicated RIGHT AFTER YOU GOT OUT OF JAIL AND WERE SUSPENDED BY YOUR EMPLOYER FOR HALF THE YEAR is pretty out-of-control. That you dare use "anyone could do [it]" as a defense is offensively obtuse. Sure, anyone could do it--the point is that most intelligent people wouldn't, especially when hundreds of thousands of dollars are on the line. You might be right in that police officers might not have made that big a deal about the situation if it were Brian Urlacher, and sure, his race might have been a factor in that, but I'd hazard a guess the officer was more concerned about Tank's mile-long arrest record than the color of his skin by the time he pulled him over. Besides, that just makes Tank even more stupid. It's been reiterated many times in this thread--yes, this society demonizes black males more than most other social groups. Remind me, Maurice, how does that make it okay for us black men to BREAK THE FREAKIN' LAW?!?

The rest of your argument just gets worse. I'd say it's okay for a recent parolee to have a curfew, for instance--if Tank actually behaved like the "grown man" you proclaim him to be, he wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. Your tirade on Jim Rose generally flies over my head (I'm not familiar with Mr. Rose), but I'm curious as to how encouraging a standard of professional appearance and decorum constitutes "wanting to be white." What, then, constitutes blackness? Embracing hip-hop culture? Are we really that unidimensional as a? Far be it from me to discourage individual expression, but I'd say a player like Tank would do well to demonstrate a degree of professionalism, something we Black men (unfortunately and unfairly) have to try a lot harder than our white counterparts to do; I would argue that your myopic (hey, Roman, there's that word again) opinion of what blackness is sets back the race more than any Uncle Tom (I'm not referring to anyone specific) ever will.

This is getting epic, so I'll simply close by agreeing with BBB's initial statement to you--you are way off-base. Tank was no saint, and his being black doesn't give him a free pass to be stupid, nor should it. As a fellow black man (again, making an assumption), I encourage you to take some responsibility for yourself and encourage Tank to do the same.

Don't blame racism for Tank being ignorant. That just makes it easier for white people to pretend it doesn't exist.

/rant

I think alot of people here are missing the point. He was not let go because he was drunk or speeding. He was given, what I think to be, too many chances as it was. The man had loaded guns laying around his house with children when he was already on probation! He was arrested three times in 18 months! He was told no involvement with the police - I don't care if he got pulled over for a broken headlight or drunk driving. Tank clearly can't learn a lesson. He never even owned up to his past "mistakes". He says he learned patience, what the heck does that mean? Patience in that he is expected not to break the law?

I'm just glad it happened before the season started.

The only RACE present in Tank's situation was the one he lost to the cop at 3am. He has had more chances than Paris Hilton! I have defended tank, but at what point was he supposed to get off the radar and behave? You can't want it more for him than he does. My loyalties belong with someone who is working as hard as I am rooting for him/her.

(I am not saying this is right) But there is not one black man in this country who doesn't know that bad things can and will happen to you - especially after hours. When you have so much to lose as ole tank...you simply have to take some precautions to avoid being compromised. I will bet you, the Bears placed Tank on a CURFEW, and when they found out it was 3am, they simply relieved him of his burden. So long Tank, you're wasting our blogging! People lets talk about someone who has earned our bloggin.

LOVE DARRYL TODAY

You drink, you drive, you lose. Tank Johnson--he gone. Maybe the Bengals (aka Cincy Criminals) will pick up Tank--just kidding.
It's good for all of us--especially kids to see natural and logical consequences enforced for overpaid athletes. This is another Chicago learning experience about life!

89 people???? seriously...89 people respond to this??????????
who cares. Tank is a helluva guy..and always will be...that is until the Packers sign him....then and only then will we truly understand just how bad his character flaw is. Koren Robinson is smiling somewhere. He will no longer be the bigeest piece of sh#t on that team.

Stuckinwisconsin.......for pete's sake, why are you bashing the Green Bay Packers....we all know you are Favre's biggest fan!

Keith - Did the attorney advise you not to blow even if you had consumed no alcohol? If so, why? I have heard you shouldn't blow even if you only had one drink, but I never heard anyone say not to blow if you had not been drinking. Just curious.

Sorry this is off topic, but at this point the topic has been beaten to death.

It really surprises me at how quick everyone is to jump on a guy like maurice t. Though he may be a little crude in his presentation, he does have a point. I really don't understand why the NFL thinks it has the right to change the style, actions, and late-night acitivities of any player, inclunding the black ones. Tank was forced to cut his hair and get rid of his pit-bulls, are you kidding me. I'm sorry if Tanks long hair and loud dogs are shocking and scary to the average white upper-middle class American citizen, but that's how some people live folks, and a sports league shouldn't be allowed to change that. Secondly, Tank, Pacman, and any other player in the league, is a GROWN MAN, and has the right to drink and go out late to bars or strips clubs whenever they want. Like I said before, if they break the law they should be punished by the law, but let a man be a man, and don't tell him where he can go, and how late he can stay out. The problem here really boils down to an absolute difference in society between the NFL's average fan, and many of it's players.

I think Tank should have paraded his momma out there for sympathy...maybe the Bears would have kept him.

Anne he said don't take it - EVER. Better to have your license suspended, than to have a conviction.

The law imposes the highest burden of proof in criminal matters -- proof beyond a reasonable doubt of every element of the offense. The policeman's word is not as convincing as a blood/alchohol level. What the state must prove:

1. The State must prove that you were the driver operating the vehicle or in actual physical possession of the vehicle.
2. The State must prove that you were legally intoxicated while the driver or in actual physical possession of the vehicle. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or greater, or if you are using any other intoxicating drugs then you are said to be legally intoxicated.
3. Breathalyzers, blood tests, field sobriety tests can all be challenged for accuracy. However, the refusal to take any breathalyzer, blood test or field sobriety test may result in automatic suspension of your license.
4. The State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were the driver or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle, in Illinois, while you were legally intoxicated.

If there is a reasonable doubt on these issues then you must be found not guilty.

If you haven't done anything wrong and was pulled over or arrested for just suspicion, then there is a good chance of beating it (if you have a clean record). Having a LAWYER increases your chances by 90%. They will take this kind of case for a few hundred and its worth EVERY penny. This guy stopped the class and gave us this advice as a friend. I believe he was sincere and correct.

rob - first, I don't remember tank being forced to cut his hair. (fact-check, Roman?) second, the league isn't saying anyone is forbidden from going anywhere at anytime--they just get kinda irritated when players get arrested for doing things that are--how do you say?--ILLEGAL. Listen--Tank, Pacman, etc. are entitled to do anything they want within the rule of law--they can go out, they can go to strip clubs, they can own loud dogs and have long hair to their hearts' content. They aren't, however, entitled to a paycheck.

The Bears signed Tank Johnson when he had dreadlocks, guns, and loud dogs. They didn't fire him until he got in trouble with the law for the third time.

DARRYL M IS ON FREAKIN' FIRE! I WAS ALL SET TO POST SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR, BUT YOU TOOK THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH.

Rob..you said...
"I'm sorry if Tanks long hair and loud dogs are shocking and scary to the average white upper-middle class American citizen"

What on earth do you mean by saying this? Do you think blacks have a monopoly on long hair and big dogs? Tell that to my neighbor, who's dog would eat my entire leg with one bite. He ai'nt black and he has long hair too. Wait, I know...Maybe its just Long Hair and Big Dogs that go together so well. Maybe there is something about having long hair and big dogs that makes you go to strip clubs and cause you to shout out that you are going to "Kill everyone" (which is what Pac man did..not ONCE, but TWICE). Maybe PacMans fatal flaw wasnt being an alcoholic punk, but it was combining dreadlocks with big dogs. Rob, you nailed it buddy, It wasnt the loaded gun and the giant bag of weed and the baby in the kitchen that shocked ME (Average middle white class short haired, clean cut, unarmed (actually thats not true), but it was HIS LONG HAIR AND HIS BIG DOGS, that shocked me.

Man....now I know why we have such an uphill battle if we are ever going to make peace with this race issue.

Daryl, guess what? I agree with what you just posted.

you guys just don't understand, and thats the issue here. The league may have not made Tank cut his hair and get rid of the dogs directly, but we both know he didn't just wake up one morning and think it's time for change. BCULZ, you getting so worked up about this makes me wonder why it strikes a nerve (BTW, pacman didn't shoot anyone in either occasion, and police even said he wasn't a suspect, and wasn't even present for the shooting in Atlanta sooo... check that Roman) . I love how you talk about "this race issue" when you've never understood what it's like to born and raised in the situation that many young black males are born in in the United States. Unfortunately, drugs and violence are prominent in many poor black communities, and many men are exposed to these things at a young age. If your fathers, uncles, cousins, and friends had been doing these kinds of things, and you were raised the way many black males had been raised you would probably be singing a different tune. I'm not saying that we should turn our heads to this type of behavior, or that it's ok, because it's not, but for you to act like many of these men were raised in a picturesque "leave it to beaver" scenarioes, and that these guys are just bad guys is absurd. This whole "race thing" isn't going to be solved anytime soon, because the last time I checked, many young blacks are continuing to fall into the same negative lifestyles that have hurt them for years, and nothing seems to be changing. So when I stick up for a guy who is doing what he's seen and been exposed to for a long time, please don't take what I say out of context, and make my quotes out to be something there not. Let me make it clear that I don't think selling drugs or drinking and driving is ok, but if whats what you've seen and been around for a large part of your life, it makes it a little more understandable. Now I'm sure that you guys are gonna get so mad, and write angry responses to this, because you unfortunately you just don't understand. Everyone makes mistakes, (if I recall, Tony LaRussa, got a DUI recently, and there wasn't near this much of an uproar) and instead of just calling these guys thugs, and firing them, why don't we let a little thing called DUE PROCESS run it's course and punish these men the way any other citizen would, and not take away there ability to make a living the best way we can.

Hey Rob...Buddy, you dont know me, so dont make assumptions. I grew up as a minority in a community that was nothing like mine. I also played college basketball and was often times, one of the few people of my color. I also spent a great deal of time fighting ignorance and intolerance in any form. I studied Civil Rights issues in College as a political science major. Trust me, I understand, and I also READ what YOU wrote. You're the one who said those things. Not me. So dont act like im worked up bra! You just sounded Ignorant, thats all. You convienantly leave out the one thing, that I and others have tried to tell you, and thats, albeit yes, people make mistakes, and yes they deserve second chances, and third chances....Both Tanked and PacManiac made MULTIPLE MISTAKES, and even made repeated mistakes when they were EXPLICITELY TOLD that they would be SEVERELY punished by the NFL if they violated these rules. I played college ball, we had to sign a code of conduct agreement. Im sure when a major corporation agrees to pay you millions of dollars, you have certain obligations that you need to fullfill. Roman, me, Darryl, Keith, and even BBB all are trying to tell you that this issue actualy has NOTHING to do with race, and everything to do with being a MORAN.

The definition of INSANITY is to repeat the same action and expect a different result.

TANK WENT OUT THE NIGHT AFTER HE GOT ARRESTED AND HIS BODY GAURD GOT KILLED. White, Black, Chinese, you do that, YOUR A MORON. and you deserve to be punished. Paris hilton, on probation, went out got in car accident while intoxed,she got punished. She aint black. The coach of Oklahoma, got fired for repeating the same mistakes. Its not a race issue at all my friend. I respect your passion, but just make sure to aim it in a JUST direction.

Roman responds: Ok bra, thanks for the enlightenment. It's not about race.

First off, Rob--I'm black, and my distaste for Tank and his ilk stems from having to look at my television screen and see yet another black man behaving exactly the way he is/we are stereotyped to behave.

Secondly--even you agree the league/Bears probably didn't directly make him get rid of his hair or dogs (I don't ever remember dogs being too much of an issue--why are we focused on this as a detail again?). So, basically, we're both operating under the assumption that Tank wasn't smart enough to attempt to rehab his image of his own volition and his employer suggested something to him. I forget--exactly what's the problem here?

Thirdly--I love how you talk about "the race issue" like the only black people in America who experience racism are people who fit your idea of what "blackness" is. Chuck D said it best: "small chance a smart brother's gonna be a victim of his own circumstance." I just deleted a lenghty tirade about racism, instead choosing to cut to my point: I can't speak for anyone else here, but I know I'm not infuriated and disappointed in Tank because I think he's a bad person. I don't know the guy. I feel the way I do because Tank's an idiot, pure and simple. Ditto for Pacman Jones, Chris Henry, and every other professional athlete who gets busted for crap like this. They make, at bare minimum, hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and could retire by the time they're thirty; you mean to tell me they can't put down the "trees" and guns for, what, four, five years while they build an effin' nest egg? You mean to tell me these brothers can't get drunk in their own houses or at least take cabs?

Yes, young black men are falling into the kinds of negative behavior spawned from drugs and violence. But men like Tank have no excuse--when last I checked, I thought black/poor people's goal was to get out of the ghetto, not bring the ghetto with them. If you're rich, and you choose to behave like that thug-n-word in the hood instead of a grown-ass man who deserves the obscenely-huge paycheck and free college degree he's getting, the person writing that paycheck has every right to treat you like you're a child. And curfews, hair length restrictions, and entourage-monitoring don't seem like such bad ideas.

One question: if a person has an opinion why do so many people gang up on them and tell them they're wrong? I don't agree with a whole lot of what maurice t. said or agree totally with what darryl m. said. Why do your opinions matter more than theirs? If I don't agree or I disagree I'd just give my own opinion. No one on this blog can say that guys are being arrested more now than ever when there are books with players talking about getting drunk and having accidents and cutting each other's cars in half out of anger. Why weren't those guys arrested and paraded around on the news back then? Why are so many stars from tv , movies and sports revealed to be gay so easily now then back then? Why are there so many mass murderers compared to the past? All of these things have been going on forever but it's sensational now. A million magazines and a thousand photographers camped out and in trees making sure that the American public see all the gory details. And you know that we never miss an opportunity to see the gore. Reporters used to keep what they heard in the locker room. Some managers and coaches were the biggest racists and sexist or whatever-ist of their time but they kept a lid on it because of friendships and owners rejecting those who didn't. It's sensational to have players who get arrested and get in trouble because that sell papers even on slow news days. Who are friends now? So many players leave teams and even reporters change papers every so often. There are not situations where reporters and players grow old together in the same city anymore so who do they have loyalties for? The BEARS shouldn't have been in the news since the draft and before that, not since the S.B.,but they find a way to say and do enough where we can blog. Especially since the current sportsteams aren't the greatest. Tank Johnson made some stupid mistakes and some of them were of a silly nature but who did he hurt? If he had had an accident and killed someone then we can say that the man was a menace to society. But he only hurt himself along the way. No one look at the BEARS and say that they are cretins because of him and not one person canceled their season tickets because he was on the team. He didn't set race relations back 30 years and no one made us forget that we had some pretty straight shooters on this team in the past and even now. His biggest mistake was that he had a bunch of sanctimonious bloggers and reporters who act like they are beyond making mistakes. I see people not stop at red light,stop signs and speed way more than 25 miles over the speed limit every two seconds whenever I'm out, but because a celebrity does it and get caught it's our chance to rail against them for doing things we see everyday. We have neighbors ,who parties break up, and some of their visitors get in a car obviously drunk and none of us rush to stop them or call the cops because we don't want to get involved. But when stupid Paris and dumb Tank do it we bring them back to earth. It's our jealousies and our hatred for people doing what we wish we could do that make us so sanctimonious and petty. How many times have you seen a tall guy who didn't play basketball and didn't feel he wasted his height. Or some powerhouse looking guy who didn't play football and we know damn well that if we had his physique we would have been a first round pick? That's why we are so critical of players for everything that they do. If given "their" chance what would "we" acccomplish?

One question: if a person has an opinion why do so many people gang up on them and tell them they're wrong? I don't agree with a whole lot of what maurice t. said or agree totally with what darryl m. said. Why do your opinions matter more than theirs? If I don't agree or I disagree I'd just give my own opinion. No one on this blog can say that guys are being arrested more now than ever when there are books with players talking about getting drunk and having accidents and cutting each other's cars in half out of anger. Why weren't those guys arrested and paraded around on the news back then? Why are so many stars from tv , movies and sports revealed to be gay so easily now then back then? Why are there so many mass murderers compared to the past? All of these things have been going on forever but it's sensational now. A million magazines and a thousand photographers camped out and in trees making sure that the American public see all the gory details. And you know that we never miss an opportunity to see the gore. Reporters used to keep what they heard in the locker room. Some managers and coaches were the biggest racists and sexist or whatever-ist of their time but they kept a lid on it because of friendships and owners rejecting those who didn't. It's sensational to have players who get arrested and get in trouble because that sell papers even on slow news days. Who are friends now? So many players leave teams and even reporters change papers every so often. There are not situations where reporters and players grow old together in the same city anymore so who do they have loyalties for? The BEARS shouldn't have been in the news since the draft and before that, not since the S.B.,but they find a way to say and do enough where we can blog. Especially since the current sportsteams aren't the greatest. Tank Johnson made some stupid mistakes and some of them were of a silly nature but who did he hurt? If he had had an accident and killed someone then we can say that the man was a menace to society. But he only hurt himself along the way. No one look at the BEARS and say that they are cretins because of him and not one person canceled their season tickets because he was on the team. He didn't set race relations back 30 years and no one made us forget that we had some pretty straight shooters on this team in the past and even now. His biggest mistake was that he had a bunch of sanctimonious bloggers and reporters who act like they are beyond making mistakes. I see people not stop at red light,stop signs and speed way more than 25 miles over the speed limit every two seconds whenever I'm out, but because a celebrity does it and get caught it's our chance to rail against them for doing things we see everyday. We have neighbors ,who parties break up, and some of their visitors get in a car obviously drunk and none of us rush to stop them or call the cops because we don't want to get involved. But when stupid Paris and dumb Tank do it we bring them back to earth. It's our jealousies and our hatred for people doing what we wish we could do that make us so sanctimonious and petty. How many times have you seen a tall guy who didn't play basketball and didn't feel he wasted his height. Or some powerhouse looking guy who didn't play football and we know damn well that if we had his physique we would have been a first round pick? That's why we are so critical of players for everything that they do. If given "their" chance what would "we" accomplish?

Can I just say the comments here on the racial (or lack thereof) are intersting and well thought out.

Romo - Since Mary Mitchell has abandoned her blog, can you nominate Darryl or whomever to take over? Having someone who can actually think through issues and accept differing points of view would be welcome instead of Mary's indulgence in self-pity and victimhood a few times a week.

William is right on some of his points. We live in a crazy society man. What tank recieved from this blog is justified by the opportunity he had and that we do not have. Tank or Paris never realized how fortunate they were/is and it kills us. Not because its them personally, but because they happen to be the persons in front of the camera or in the paper. William my friend, they are simply the persons in front of us. Its a story because they are rich and famous. We like to read about the rich and famous - and judge. In our tiny lives its how we pass the time. But we harm no one either and we are entertained and comforted in our unified agreement that what these two have done with their once in a lifetime lives was wasteful.

Well - I just found out that Tank was not drunk! Do you guys think the Bears moved too fast??? I am interested to see what they say on the matter.

Now what can you say that Tank was found under the limit? So, a speeding ticket is actually the sum of a guy being out of a job in Chicago. And I'm pretty sure that Darryl M. would abandon a blog if he had to deal with a lot of the racist people that Mary Mitchell had to deal with. Why bring her up if she had a difference of opinion about race? Darryl M is a very astute brother ,and he has demonstrated that for a while with his blogging, but the point that some of you miss is that there are still instances where he is wounded just like any brother. It's just on this point that he knows that race is actually a non-issue because Tank did have quite a few chances. There are quite a few acknowledged black men on this blog who didn't think that race was the issue. We just didn't wear it out because we didn't care to. Thanks for getting that point out Darryl M. but I think some people confuse this issue with you thinking that black people use race as a crutch ALL the time. And maybe some black people think you are selling out because you didn't defend his actions. It's your right to your opinion but people need to realize that just because you don't see the issue of race in this matter doesn't maen that you bnevr see it when it does rear it's head in another matter. You can't expect someone to agree with you all the time. And frankly,that's what some of you guys want. And a guy in Arizona out util 3:30 a.m. who is actually operating on central time,so that makes it even earlier for him. His body said what? 12:30 a.m.? How bad is that? Tank should've lived his life as some of you would or he's living wrong. That's what you guys are saying and that's judging people. I'd like to know where some of you guys live because you must be living in a perfect world. All these blogs for 15 miles over the limits ?

And Keith you will fail to have one person who denounced him rescind their opinion. As long as they think they're right,they are never wrong. Since he screwed up his "many" chances there will be no other chances in their hearts or minds. Throwing stones as they always do. I just said that he was stupid and that opinion doesn't change. I'll still wish him the best because I have no jealousies of what another man has because my life is beautiful.

....oh and next we'll hear his guns were the squirting variety,and his dogs were really pigs.........................................DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. That's the message.

Looks like tank got himself waved from the bears for going 40 in a 25. Maybe he was just in a hurry to get home. Well, be interesting to see how the bears handle their next traffic violations.

Wow. I could either be depressed by this blog or amused, so I'll choose the latter.

Here are some gems from my fellow bloggers, along with my replies:

"He got so much support from the Bears, from Teammates, coaches, and upper management, and he goes and hangs out @ 3:30am"

-I agree. We should have a national curfew to stop this utter banditry. Staying up past 11 p.m. is criminal, and should be punished by harsh jail sentences. Any employer should fire any employee for staying up past a reasonable bedtime.

"Smart move by the Bears. Even if the test comes beck negative- Tank was on suspension for his BEHAVIOUR, and going out until 3:30 getting pulled over and acting suspicous enough for a blood test, does not bode well for you'r person."

-Yes. People who stay out late are evil. Also, if a racist cop decides to harass someone for acting suspicious (aka being black), then that person deserves it. If he would just put white make-up on every day and develop a southern drawl he'd be all good. And who cares if he's innocent? Anyone convicted of crimes in the past should be punished for crimes they could commit in the future, regardless of guilt.

"Being out at 3:30am doesn't exactly prove to your employer (who stuck their neck out for you after you lied to them once already) that you are wising up"

-Absolutely. Employers should have total control over their employees' lives, like the good old days. All employees should be issued ankle bracelets and have hidden cameras installed in their homes, along with doors that lock automatically at 11p.m.

"Speeding at 3:30 in the morning (even if he wasn't drinking), is putting him in the precarious situation of possible getting into worse trouble (such as a club shooting) again"

-This is spot on. Every time I speed at 3:30a.m. I am involved with a club shooting shortly afterwards. I've learned to speed at 9 a.m. instead, like a respectable person.

"Meanwhile in Baghdad, a young boy sheds a tear for the embattled Republican party..."

-actually, he's crying because he's being tortured in Abu Ghraib, and there is no electricity or running water in his village, despite billions of dollars that go to Bush's favorite corporations for "reconstruction."

"TANK WENT OUT THE NIGHT AFTER HE GOT ARRESTED AND HIS BODY GAURD GOT KILLED. White, Black, Chinese, you do that, YOUR A MORON."

-It's o.k. to go out after one gets arrested, but I agree that it is dumb to have your body guard (or friend) get killed when you do. Tank should have wrapped his friend in body armor. Either that, or he should have used one of his guns to shoot the person trying to shoot his friend.

"For someone with Tank's history, and given the fact he had no margin for error, he should not have been out at 3:30 a.m. Nothing good happens at that hour"

-Yes. 3:30 a.m. is known throughout the world to be a time when only bad things can happen. Not a single positive thing has ever been accomplished at 3:30 a.m. If you think you can recall a point at which something good happened to you at 3:30 a.m. then you are a devil-worshipper. End of story.

I used to live at North, Damon, and Milwaukee. At a little before 1 a.m. (or was it 2?) the bars would announce that people should move their cars if they didn't want to get towed. So people would go move their cars and come back, then drink more, then drive home. I'm not saying it's right, but it's a fact of life in Chicago. Where are all you self-righteous folks from, Evanston?

Tank, you poor dumb sucker, GO TO AMSTERDAM! There's a lot more freedom there, whether you're rich or not, and it's harder to get in trouble with the law.

It's so awesome that the Bears kicked a valuable player off their team for speeding. Trafffic cops have POWER. I bet that the officer who pulled Tank over was a huge Cardinals fan, and figured out an easy way to hurt a team he doesn't like. Now we'll find out he wasn't even really driving 40. He was probably going 26.

Go Bears! (even if your head office is manned by idiots)

I see he wasn't legally drunk.

Ergo, what was his "transgression" and his "betrayal of trust" and or embarrassment to the Bears organization? (I am talking about this particular incident, not the previous ones)

personally I would have cut him a long time ago, but doing it over the outcome of this particular incident is laughable.

So he was out at 3:30 am and was caught doing 40 mph in a 25 mph zone? A grown man can't be out at 3 am in the offseason?

I'm guilty of that each and every time I go out.

what a crock.

I used to frequent a local greasy-spoon restaurant in my neighborhood when I was about 12. The owner and his wife ran the place and there was a guy in the back on the grille who worked tirelessly. I asked the owner's wife about the guy and she told me that he (Earl) was a felon and that they gave him work because noone would hire him. I always thought it was unfair for Earl to be doomed to working in greasy-spoons for long hours and low wages, but those were the rules of the game Earl decided to play. I didn't think the Bears should have cut Tank, but I understand why they did it. Tank was playing by different rules than the rest of us because he certainly was living a different life than the rest of us. When you have fame and money like Tank, its easy to picture yourself in a beer commercial being surrounded by women and music or driving around in the lated hot vehicle and playing golf everyday, but that is a false image. That life also has its rules and consequences. There our guys who are clean, dedicated individuals who do nothing but their jobs and stay out of the media. The message should be - look at these guys, not Tank. The Tanks of the world have to be told - we don't reward that lifestyle and we resent having to defend it. If you want to stay out and kick it - then by all means go and do it. We wish you well.

FYI BOGEY, HE DEMANDED TO SEE THE CHIEF AND HIS BREATHALIZER WASNT TAKEN UNTIL 3HRS LATER AND HE HAD VICODIN PILLS IN HIS DASH BOARD. NOT SAYING ITS THAT BIG A CRIME, BUT THE FACT THAT THE COPS WAITED A FEW HRS TO BREATHALIZE HIM ACTUALLY SEEMS LIKE SPEACIAL TREATMENT TO ME...NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

TALK ABOUT LAUGHABLE.

THE GILBERT POLICE SHOULDVE JUST HAVE JUST TOLD HIM TO PARK AND TAKE A CAB. AND THIS WOULDA NEVER HAPPENED. BUT WHEN YOU SCREW UP SO MANY TIMES, YOU CANT REALLY EXPECT A BREAK WHEN YOU YOU BARELY SCREWED UP. THATS A JOKE.

BREAKING NEWS: Vick indicted in dog fighting case - 30 minutes ago
Michael Vick has been indicted for his role in an alleged dog-fighting operation that authorities say took place at a house owned by Vick, multiple media ...sources reporting.

Let the spin begin!!!!