May 18, 2007
Tank thrilled to be back in a Bears uniform
By Larry Mayer
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Back on the field with many of the same Bears teammates who visited him in jail, Tank Johnson couldn’t hide his excitement or relief after Friday’s minicamp practice.
“It was a great feeling just to be around the guys who support you the most and just feel the connection again,” said Johnson, who participated in individual drills only five days after being released from Cook County Jail.
Defensive tackle Tank Johnson addresses the media after minicamp practice Friday at Halas Hall.
Speaking to reporters after practice, the defensive tackle reflected on the 60 days he spent behind bars as well as his meeting with Roger Goodell Wednesday in New York. The NFL commissioner wanted to talk to Johnson face-to-face before deciding on a possible suspension.
“I think the most important thing about my meeting with Mr. Goodell was for him to get to know my personality and in the process [for] me [to] get to understand his intentions,” Johnson said.
“I feel like he and I had a very, very good conversation and he got to know what type of man I am and some of my values, and I got to know his expectations and his direction he wants to take this league in.”
Johnson hopes that the meeting changed the commissioner’s perception of him in a positive way.
“Having not met someone, you don’t have a good idea of who they are until they sit across from you,” said the 2004 second-round pick. “Once I sat across from Mr. Goodell, I, too, got to learn who he was. It was a great experience to have the opportunity to speak with him.”
The Bears defensive tackle insisted that he will accept whatever punishment is meted out.
“Mr. Goodell has a tremendous responsibility to get this league in order,” Johnson said. “Not that it’s all lost, but he has a tremendous responsibility and whatever he decides to do, it’s in the best interest of the league.
FULL STORY
Tank thrilled to be back in a Bears uniform - Chicago Bears
Tank thrilled to be back in a Bears uniform
Tank thrilled to be back in a Bears uniform
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