Bears release Cedric Benson

[KSPOON]

Thank God!!!!

The Bears have released former first-round draft pick Cedric Benson, who has been arrested on two alcohol-related charges in the last five weeks.

"Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate,” general manager Jerry Angelo said. "As I said this past weekend, you have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions. When individual priorities overshadow team goals, we suffer the consequences as a team. Those who fail to understand the importance of ‘team’ will not play for the Chicago Bears.”

Benson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2005, showed up for work this morning at Halas Hall and was told to go home by coach Lovie Smith, according to Benson’s attorney Sam Bassett, who's based in Austin, Texas.

``I know that he went to practice today and Lovie told him to go home,’’ Bassett said. ``I don’t know if it’s because of the publicity or because it’s a distraction, or if the Bears are trying to decide what to do. He’s just kind of waiting to see what they tell him and what they are going to require of him.

``I know that he went to practice today and Lovie told him to go home,’’ Bassett said. ``I don’t know if it’s because of the publicity or because it’s a distraction, or if the Bears are trying to decide what to do. He’s just kind of waiting to see what they tell him and what they are going to require of him.

Benson was arrested on a DUI charge in Austin early Saturday morning. Angelo expressed deep disappointment in Benson on Saturday at the team’s fan convention. Benson was arrested in Texas five weeks earlier and charged with drunk boating and resisting arrest.

“I apologize for making the poor decision to drink and drive during the early morning of Saturday, June 7th," Benson said in a statement through Atlanta-based attorney David Cornwell. "Given the incident last month, it was a particularly bad decision. I have no excuse for this lack of judgment.

"Though I strongly believe that I am not guilty of any crime, I realize that the public and the Bears organization hold me to higher standard. Though my local attorneys will continue to work hard to prove my innocence, I confess to using poor judgment. Please accept my deepest apology.”

Teammates were not saying much about Benson when they left the field. Smith declined to talk as did running backs coach Tom Spencer. One player said Smith gave them specific instructions about being careful with what they said regarding Benson.

"Talk about yourself," one player said. "That's what he told us to do."


Source:
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/footb...060908.article

[Da 5th Dawg]

It needed to happen. He teammates really were fed up with him. Thomas Jones was well respected in that locker room. Benson might face suspension. I remember when he was pissed cause people compared him to Ricky Williams. I know for a fact they ain't the same. Ricky ain't get cut!!!!!

[Omaha bin Laden]

... Fixing a 3 year old mistake.

[chi20]

man hes tha shit he smokes blunts

but as a football player not happin