Chicago Bears Release Cedric Benson
June 9, 2008 by David Kindervater
Filed under Chicago Bears
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Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Chicago Bears RB Cedric Benson was released by the team today following two recent alcohol-related arrests. About five weeks ago, Cedric was charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest following a random safety check on his boat on Lake Travis in Austin, TX. He was then charged with driving while intoxicated after failing a field sobriety test this past Saturday, also in Austin. I’m not surprised with the decision to waive Cedric. In a news release I received from the Bears Media Relations Department, GM Jerry Angelo made this statement:
“Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate. 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.”
It’s the right move for the Bears, but just like any other player who makes bad decisions and suffers through difficult times, I am hopeful Cedric will — first and foremost — get his life together and secondly, be able to return to the game. I spent some time with Cedric before the 2005 NFL Draft and all I can say is he seemed uncomfortable with the media attention and really acted like he would rather be somewhere else. I can’t say that I blame him, but there are certain things an NFL player has to deal with and talking with the media is one of them. You might as well embrace the job or you’re in for a painful existence in the National Football League — especially if you are a high-profile player. And Cedric was just that, being selected by the Bears with the 4th overall pick in ‘05. The best of his three seasons was last year when he rushed for a mere 674 yards in 11 games. He played in 35 regular season games with 12 starts. So as it turns out, Cedric Benson never lived up to the expectations of the Chicago Bears on- or off-the-field.
Source: ChicagoBears.com
It’s good to see these teams finally stand up to the players who are so arrogant and think they are above all the rules. Maybe Benson will wake up and realize how he just ruined his career with Chicago and possibly the league with his antics.