advertisement

Angelo taking Benson DUI situation 'very seriously'

Cedric Benson's DUI arrest early Saturday in Austin, Texas, seems to indicate that he has failed to learn an important lesson, according to Bears' general manager Jerry Angelo.

"The No. 1 lesson of every player is protect your job," an irritated Angelo said Saturday at the Bears' Fan Expo at Soldier Field. "We're all held accountable for our actions. There was alcohol involved. That's all we know.

"We are certainly going to take this seriously. Disappointment is too much an often-used word when we're talking about Cedric."

According to Austin police spokeswoman Veneza Aguinaga, Benson was pulled over between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. for running a red light, and he refused to take a Breathalyzer or provide blood samples. He was arrested in downtown Austin after he failed a field sobriety test.

Benson, who was a star running back at the University of Texas in Austin, was released from Travis County Jail on $2,000 bond.

The latest arrest comes 35 days after the 25-year-old Benson was charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest on Lake Travis, which is near Austin. He has disputed both of those charges, as have at least two witnesses.

Angelo, who had not talked to Benson as of late Saturday morning, said he was disappointed the running back put himself in a similar situation so soon.

"It doesn't weigh well," Angelo said. "It's unfortunate and we will deal with it once we know everything. I am very surprised that he put himself in this situation after our last visit."

According to an Associated Press report, Benson's attorney said the former Texas star had a few drinks with dinner but didn't think he was intoxicated, and cooperated with police. Attorney Sam Bassett said Benson thought the light was yellow, and he stopped when police appeared. Bassett said Benson told him he wasn't speeding or driving recklessly.

"He doesn't feel like he was intoxicated," Bassett told the Associated Press. "He said he had two or three drinks the whole night with dinner."

Bassett said Benson's girlfriend was with him at the time. They had dined at a Japanese restaurant. Benson was in Austin for his mother's birthday, Bassett said.

Benson attended last weekend's minicamp and has participated in most of the organized team activities as the first-team running back.

The fourth overall draft pick in 2005, Benson has lost about 10 pounds since last season and appears quicker than in the past, despite a fractured ankle that sidelined him for the final five games last season.

Benson, however, was a major disappointment last season, rushing for only 674 yards on 196 attempts and averaging a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry. To create competition at the position, the Bears used their second-round draft pick this year on Tulane's Matt Forte. In light of Benson's arrest, Forte may get the job by default.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you that we're not extremely disappointed and frustrated with this," Angelo said. "Anybody would be in this situation. But we will get together as a group (and) make sure that we hear all sides before we do anything."

A year ago the Bears cut tackle Tank Johnson after he was arrested for "suspicion of DUI," following some embarrassing off-the-field incidents, including arrests on weapons and drug charges.

The Bears may not have the luxury of cutting Benson immediately, since Forte has yet to be signed. Backup Adrian Peterson appears to be only an afterthought in the run game. Garrett Wolfe, last year's third-round pick from Northern Illinois University, is considered a situational substitute at best.

It's now questionable if Benson will still be a Bear for the Sept. 9 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, or even by the start of training camp on July 22.

A lot could depend on the outcome of Benson's June 30 court date regarding his boating arrest. Authorities say he resisted and they had to use pepper spray to subdue him. Benson says he did not resist and that officers used excessive force.

Bears coach Lovie Smith denied that players were taking advantage of Smith's reputation of being a players' coach, which some have suggested is too permissive.

"It's not a perfect world," Smith said. "It's not a perfect world in your world or mine. And you realize when things come up like that, you just look at the big picture. And that's what we do.

"Will we give guys the benefit of the doubt? Sure we will, like everyone else in society gets the benefit of the doubt. And that's how we do things," Smith continued. "There comes a point, though, where you have to make decisions. It always plays itself out and this one will too."

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.