Bring Back Tank

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 6, 2007 2:22PM

A speeding ticket. That's what ended Tank Johnson's career with the Chicago Bears.

On Thursday, Gilbert, Arizona authorities notified Johnson that they declined to press any charges against him following his arrest last month for suspicion of DUI. Just days after the event, the Bears cut Tank. That move began to look a little premature as authorities revealed earlier this week that Tank's BAC was .072 -- under the .08 limit for DUI. They could have chosen to press charges anyway had he clearly been impaired in spite of being under the legal limit. That they did not, gives some indication of Tank's true condition and what may have actually transpired that night when stopped by police.

For all we know, he might have been stopped for a DWB -- driving while black. Small town cop, young black man driving a fancy car? Hmmm.... Cop asks if Tank's been drinking, and he says he had a couple. That gets him hauled in on suspicion of DUI. National exposure and a legal BAC, and authorities drop it like a hot potato.

Yet the Bears dropped Johnson even quicker. If they were willing to stand by Tank through all his previous troubles, well then Chicagoist wants the Bears to bring back Tank. Right the wrong they committed by not waiting for more facts. Because, really, should anybody lose their job over a traffic violation? Well maybe some should, but not Tank!