It looks like the Bears are going to keep Tank Johnson and to be honest I have no problem with that. Right now the only thing I know he is guilty of is bad judgement. I know it's fashionable for the media to call for his ouster, but being stupid and immature is not a felony.

There are those who contend that the guns were in reach of his children, but this is innuendo and speculation. DCFS is not pursuing an investigation and I've heard the gun charges may be dropped against Johnson. Seems they were registered in another state.

Bottom line-I'm a selfish Bears fan and I want the best players out there for the playoffs. I think they other players on the Bears feel the same way. I think keeping Tank Johnson off the playoff roster will punish Bears players and fans more than it will punish Tank Johnson. Don't think for a minute that if he was released there wouldn't be at least 20 other teams that would pick him up.

He's not a model citizen, but he's the best defensive tackle the Bears have right now.

I'm sure that Tank is the only gun owner in Lake County without a FOID Card.
You could tell by the interview with the Police Chief that there is more to this than Gun possession. I'm not saying he shouldn't have complied with the state law but I'm sure this would have never come up if someone with influence in Red Neck County wasn't involved and was going to teach Tank a lesson.

Personally I couldn't care less about Tank Johnson or the Bears - but to the extent a bunch of people do seem to care, I'd just as soon have the Bears win. And I really don't care whether or not they play him up until the day he may need to report for jail time. It does seem, however, a mite hypocritical for them to claim to give a damn about character should they fail to mete out some significant discipline - or otherwise address this situation.

What impresses me most about this story is the tremendous judgment displayed by this individual. He's in a very public line of work, yet he chooses to live with an ex-felon, in a manner such that police are repeatedly called to his home for various offenses. And then, the day after he and his buddy are arrested and their indiscretions are splashed across the news, he decides his best course of action is go out partying with his felon-friend, instead of - say - keeping a low profile for at least a day or two. (Yeah, I know - he was helping his buddy move out and they just decided to stop in for a drink. Right!)

So Yoss, are there any legal or moral shortfallings a player could commit that would make you not support him, his team, or his sport?

I admit I am not a huge football fan. But the apparent level of thuggishness and criminality among the players certainly does not encourage me to be more supportive of their product.

quote:

Originally posted by jombl:

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:

So ... are there any legal or moral shortfallings a player could commit that would make you not support him, his team, or his sport?

Are we talking about a Chicago Bear during a Superbowl hunt, or like just any old player in general?

Yeah - I'm sure this guy would be getting the same consideration if he were a 3d string kick returner or something.

quote:

So Yoss, are there any legal or moral shortfallings a player could commit that would make you not support him, his team, or his sport?

If he/she is convicted of a felony.

I'm sure there are others.

Truth be told, I was bored this morning and wanted to stir some discussion. Mission accomplished.

It's downright embarrassing that we are paying these so called professionals to be role models ...they're all a bunch of thugs and I'm dusgusted with Tank for making the choices that were made. For God sake's, who goes to a bar with a convicted felon the night they were arrested, WHILE ON PROBATION and let out on bond. I too want to win...but without the thug.

The basketball players should all be fined heavily and suspended for the season, maybe then we can get back to what good sportmanship used to mean.

I have always gotten the impression with this situation that there is more than meets the eye here. Thus, the level of force that was used to get into his house. But since he obviously knew they were on his case, I can't figure out why he would go into a bar with the "bodyguard" guy. Bad judgment! But now that the decision has been made to keep him, I hope he gets his act together. Lovey Smith probably has him on a VERY tight leash. You could tell his was very mad at him last night when he was asked about it.

Now we can get back to focusing on the Bears and the Playoffs!

M2C...we ain't paying these guys and gals to be role models. We are paying them to perform on the field.

One of the most misunderstood athletes out there is Lance Armstrong. The public loves him. Eats him up. Truth be told...the guy is a prick. Would stab you in the back and climb over your corpse to get ahead.

Clam don't hold it in, let it all out.
Oh, BTW. Where are the pictures ?

I've heard that about Lance too. I'd LOVE to have a sit-down with Cheryl Crowe and hear all about what really happened. Did he leave her right after she got breast cancer? Tell me this is not true!

quote:

Now we can get back to focusing on the Bears and the Playoffs!

Amen. And please no more interviews or shots of James Belushi. I have trouble with a Bear fan who lives in LA, but shows up when the Bears are good. Plus he's a tool.

Now there's someone we can all agree on. Why is he still on TV?

Because his brother was famous...and died. The formula for instant success.

Disagree...I love Jim Belushi...Agree,Lance Armstrong ia a tool.

OK Clam...forget the role model thing...he's still a thug who had his three chances and I love the Bears!

I admit I am very happy for the Bears' success, and hope they go far in the playoffs. Makes it so pleasant to go out and about running errands and such on Sunday afternoons, with so many folks glued to their TVs!

Suspended. One game.

One game against the Lions...what a crock!

quote:

It's downright embarrassing that we are paying these so called professionals to be role models

Whose paying them to be role models?



Gotta side with Sir Charles-Atheletes should not be role models.

I love him on the NBA telecasts

quote:

Gotta side with Sir Charles-Atheletes should not be role models.

O.J. was once a role model. **** happens.

EDIT: I see Ted's turned the ******* filter back on.

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:
And then, the day after he and his buddy are arrested and their indiscretions are splashed across the news, he decides his best course of action is go out partying with his felon-friend, instead of - say - keeping a low profile for at least a day or two. (Yeah, I know - he was helping his buddy move out and they just decided to stop in for a drink. Right!)

The only thing worse that this would be a passed out parent on Metra who's children mysteriously break their limbs...