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Bears' Johnson draws eight-game suspension
NEW YORK - Tank Johnson is the latest NFL player to feel the impact of commissioner Roger Goodell's crackdown on off-field misbehavior.
The Chicago Bears' defensive tackle was suspended Monday for the first eight games of the 2007 NFL season, the third player sidelined this offseason under Goodell's toughened personal-conduct policy.
Johnson, who recently spent two months in the Cook County jail for violating probation on a gun charge, joins Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones, suspended for the entire season, and Cincinnati's Chris Henry, out eight games. Jones, who's appealing his suspension, has been arrested five times and had 10 interviews with police since being drafted in April 2005. Henry is one of nine Bengals arrested last year - one of the reasons Goodell, with the approval of the players union and newly established players' council, established his "get tough" policy.
Johnson, who will be allowed to attend training camp and play in the preseason, seemed to accept his punishment.
"I think it's an opportunity for me to move forward," he said in Lake Forest, Ill., where the Bears are conducting offseason workouts.
"It's not my call to say whether it's fair or unfair. But Roger Goodell's a fair man; I know that. He took everything into consideration that he and I talked about, and what he came up with is what he came up with it. If it's in the best interest of the NFL, then I'm all for it, too."
Goodell said the suspension could be reduced to six games if Johnson has no further involvement with law enforcement and undergoes counseling.
"I am looking at it like a six-game suspension, because I definitely am very confident that I'm capable of doing everything that he's asked me to do and more," Johnson said.
If the suspension lasts the entire eight games, Johnson stands to lose $255,000, based on his salary for next season of $510,000.
Bears coach Lovie Smith said he expects Johnson to abide by the conditions that could shorten his suspension.
"I have faith in Tank," Smith said. "Tank has been a different guy for a long time. I think he's demonstrated that, and this is just another step toward getting him back on the field and getting this past behind him."
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NEW YORK - Tank Johnson is the latest NFL player to feel the impact of commissioner Roger Goodell's crackdown on off-field misbehavior.
The Chicago Bears' defensive tackle was suspended Monday for the first eight games of the 2007 NFL season, the third player sidelined this offseason under Goodell's toughened personal-conduct policy.
Johnson, who recently spent two months in the Cook County jail for violating probation on a gun charge, joins Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones, suspended for the entire season, and Cincinnati's Chris Henry, out eight games. Jones, who's appealing his suspension, has been arrested five times and had 10 interviews with police since being drafted in April 2005. Henry is one of nine Bengals arrested last year - one of the reasons Goodell, with the approval of the players union and newly established players' council, established his "get tough" policy.
Johnson, who will be allowed to attend training camp and play in the preseason, seemed to accept his punishment.
"I think it's an opportunity for me to move forward," he said in Lake Forest, Ill., where the Bears are conducting offseason workouts.
"It's not my call to say whether it's fair or unfair. But Roger Goodell's a fair man; I know that. He took everything into consideration that he and I talked about, and what he came up with is what he came up with it. If it's in the best interest of the NFL, then I'm all for it, too."
Goodell said the suspension could be reduced to six games if Johnson has no further involvement with law enforcement and undergoes counseling.
"I am looking at it like a six-game suspension, because I definitely am very confident that I'm capable of doing everything that he's asked me to do and more," Johnson said.
If the suspension lasts the entire eight games, Johnson stands to lose $255,000, based on his salary for next season of $510,000.
Bears coach Lovie Smith said he expects Johnson to abide by the conditions that could shorten his suspension.
"I have faith in Tank," Smith said. "Tank has been a different guy for a long time. I think he's demonstrated that, and this is just another step toward getting him back on the field and getting this past behind him."
Rest of story
