Tank Johnson
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| Tank Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | December 7, 1981 (age 25) |
| Place of birth |  Gary, Indiana |
| Position(s) | Defensive tackle |
| College | Washington |
| NFL Draft | 2004 / Round 2/ Pick 47 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 2004-present | Chicago Bears |
Terry "Tank" Johnson (born December 7, 1981) is an American footballplayer for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Drafted in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Johnson is one of the Bears' defensive tackle. He is also well known for his run-ins with the law, most notably his 120 day jail sentence for breaking his probation.
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[edit] Early life
Johnson was born in Gary, Indiana. His father moved him to Arizona when he was six years old. He attended McClintock High School in Tempe, Arizona, where he had a B-plus grade point average. [1]
[edit] College career
Johnson played college football at the University of Washington. During his four years at the University, he was second team All-Pac-10.
[edit] Professional career
Johnson plays for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was selected with the 15th pick of the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Along with teammates Tommie Harris, Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Nathan Vasher, Johnson helped the Bears' establish the league's most productive defense during the 2005 NFL season.
[edit] Legal problems
During his second year in the NFL, he was arrested at the Excalibur nightclub in Chicago for possession of a handgun. Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge and was sentenced to 18 months probation and 40 hours of community service. [2]
On February 12, 2006, Johnson, while still on probation, was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after allegedly verbally threatening a police officer. Johnson was leaving Level Nightclub on Chicago's Rush Street when the police officer was ticketing a limousine driver who Johnson had hired. As Johnson allegedly put up a struggle, he was maced and subdued with the help of other police officers. The charges were eventually dropped. [3]
On December 14, 2006, police officers searched Johnson's home in Gurnee, Illinois, and allegedly discovered that he possessed six firearms, including two assault rifles. Although Johnson was at practice during the search, his bodyguard William Posey was arrested from his house for alleged possession of marijuana. Johnson will likely face a misdemeanor charge, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail. Bears coach Lovie Smith deactivated Johnson for the following game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the NFL has yet to make a decision regarding disciplinary actions. [4]
Days after Johnson's arrest, William Posey was killed in a shooting at Ice Bar in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Posey was shot after he was allegedly involved in a fight around midnight. Posey was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30am. Posey's assailant was not apprehended by the police.[5] Johnson addressed the Chicagoland media, where he remorsefully apologized and promised to reform his ways. [6] On December 22, a Skokie, Illinois judge placed Johnson on home confinement, preventing him from driving by himself or leaving the state of Illinois.[7] However, in light of the Chicago Bears making Super Bowl XLI, Johnson appeared before Judge Moran on January 23 to request permission to travel to Miami. His request was granted. [8]
On December 28, Chicago Police apprehended Michael Selvie, Posey's alleged assailant. Selvie, a "reputed gang member" has been implicated in over thirty other crimes. However, Selvie's defense attorney claims that Selvie does not posses a firearm or any gang affiliations. If found guilty, Selvie will face charges of first degree murder. [9]
On February 17, 2007 Johnson's lawyer contested a Lake County Circuit Court to drop Johnson's gun chargers. The attorney claims that since Johnson is a resident of Arizona, he does not have to abide to gun-registration laws of Illinois. [10] Johnson was sentenced to a 120 days in prison for violating his probation on March 15, 2007.[11]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Tank's family shocked by recent developments. Retrieved on December 21, 2006.
- ^ Another Bears distraction: Tank charged. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- ^ "Tank" Johnson In Trouble with the Law Again. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- ^ Tank Johnson Charged After Police Raid Home. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- ^ Police: Man Harassed 'Tank' Prior To Bodyguard's Shooting. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- ^ Bears Suspend Johnson for One Game. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- ^ Tank Johnson gets home confinement. Retrieved on December 22, 2006.
- ^ Judge: Bears' Johnson can play in Super Bowl. Retrieved on January 23, 2007.
- ^ Man charged in bar shooting death of friend of Bears' Johnson. Retrieved on December 28, 2006.
- ^ Lawyer Asks That Tank Johnson's Charges Be Dropped
- ^ CBS Chicago, Tank Johnson Sentenced To 120 Days In Jail Retrieved on March 15, 2007
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