Published: February 01, 2007 12:31 am            

From the Press Box: Actions speak louder than words for Bears’ Tank Johnson

MIAMI — Johnson was arrested on Dec. 14 after a raid on his Gurnee, Ill., home in which six guns, more than 500 rounds of ammunition and marijuana was found. The three-year starter was not in the house at the time, but his bodyguard William Posey was arrested in the house with the marijuana.

Two days later, Posey was shot and killed in a Chicago night club in the presence of Johnson, who allegedly had words with the perpetrator before Posey was shot. In late December, Michael Selvie was charged with first degree murder in Posey’s death, as Johnson was among the witnesses picking Selvie out of a police line-up.

Because of the gun charges, Johnson was placed under house arrest, and the Bears suspended him for two games. He played in the Bears’ playoff games at Solider Field, but because of his house arrest, it was an open question as to whether he’d be able to travel to Super Bowl XLI in Miami.

On Jan. 22, Johnson was cleared to travel and must return to house arrest by Feb. 5, his third arrest in 18 months.

Very little of Johnson’s actions have been on the football field of late.

So during Tuesday’s Media Day activities and Wednesday’s press availability, Johnson tried to conjure the words to speak louder than his actions to show why his legal troubles don’t define him and what’s he’s learned from it.

See Tank accept the media scrutiny from his legal troubles.

“Sometimes I feel like it’s unfair, but it comes with the territory. To whom much is given, much is expected,” Tank said. “When you’re given the opportunity to be a talented player, who is one of the best in the world at what you do, you’ve got to hold yourself to a higher standard.”

See Tank give respect to the father-figure-like advice of Bears coach Lovie Smith.

“I can’t say enough about coach Smith. He’s great at getting his point across. He doesn’t beat you up with stuff, he lets you know how your actions affect everyone else,” Tank said. “And sometimes when you’re going through it, you don’t look at it that way initially. He’s taught me a lot of stuff.”

See Tank see the bright side of his house arrest.

“House arrest is tough because your everyday life is taken away from you. You can’t do the things you want to do, you have to get permission to do stuff,” Tank said. “But it’s a small block of my life and so much good has come from it. I’ve spent so much more time with my little girl, with my family, its actually been a very productive time for me.”

See Tank thank the Cook County, Ill., judge that cleared him to travel.

“He understood that this is my job. It means a lot to me and my life. I appreciate him for that immensely.”

See Tank exclaim that he’s toned down potentially troublemaking visits to Miami’s clubs.

“I’ve definitely toned it down a great deal. I don’t want to give anyone the impression that out here free like that. I might go to dinner, but I’m really just trying to enjoy this,” Tank said. “I am free to do what the Super Bowl allows. I’ve had a great time out here.”

See Tank profess a newfound faith in God as part of what he has learned from his experience.

“My teammates are always there for me, but I really lean on the Bible. God shows me everyday that I am his child. That he has a plan for me everyday. It’s a great feeling when you can talk to him and he talks to your heart,” Tank said.

See Tank infer that his detractors use racial stereotyping in calling his character into question.

“When you see me walking down the street, I don’t look like you, I don’t talk like you, I don’t walk like you. The media says, ‘He’s just like other people,’ but I see people like that all the time,” Tank said. “I’ve given you guys the opportunity to stereotype me like that and its most unfortunate. This is the way I am, I’m young, I’m black, I’ve got tattoos and I’ve got dreads. It is what it is.”

See Tank claim that there are demons who are trying to bring him down.

“There’s so many in so many shapes and sizes,” said Tank on his demons. “There’s a lot of people out there who are out to get you. To do bad stuff to you, to say bad things about you. All kinds of people, and sure, they’re in the media. Through this, God has shown me what demons look like, now I know.”

But when the time came for to see Tank lay the chips down and apologize, the response to a question by Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke on Tuesday spoke volumes.

“Are you sorry for what happened?” Tank was asked.

“Sorry to who?” Tank replied derisively.

“Sorry to society, to anyone?,” Plaschke retorted.

See Tank grimace. See Tank dismissively turn his back on Plaschke.

See Tank say nothing as a throng of reporters waited for a response. Fifteen seconds of tense silence.

Tank talked a lot, but in the final balance, actions (or lack of it) still spoke better than words after all.



Todd Golden is the Tribune-Star’s sports editor. He can be reached by email at todd.golden@tribstar.com.

        

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