Tank in the Tank

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 16, 2007 1:46PM

Having plead guilty to probation violations last month stemming from his December arrest on guns charges, Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson faced sentencing on Thursday.

In a Skokie courtroom, Cook County Circuit Court Judge John Moran sentenced Johnson to 120 days in jail and fined him $2,500. Bears head coach Lovie Smith and Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher spoke on Johnson's behalf prior to sentencing. Imagine how long he'd be incarcerated if they hadn't! Speaking on his own behalf, Tank told the Judge, "I pride myself on being a humble and big-hearted person. I do not believe I'm a man who belongs in jail."

The judge clearly didn't agree, and after handing down his sentence Johnson was immediately taken into custody. He was expected to be processed at Cook County Jail Thursday evening. Used to wearing orange and blue, he'll now have to get used to wearing orange alone.

WIth good behavior, Tank may be eligible for release in as few as 60 days. Of course, he still faces gun charges in Lake County so this may be just the first stop on the Tank Johnson Chicagoland Tank Tour.