Tank Johnson of the Chicago Bears Hit with 8 Game Suspension to Start 2007

On the surface at least, it would be easy to pile onto Tank Johnson of the Chicago Bears as the announced 8 game suspension is the latest punishment handed out by NFL Commissioner Goodell in an attempt to crackdown on off field behavior.

However, I think Johnson seems to "get it", or is at least saying the right things publicly as he is neither making excuses for his behavior, blaming anyone else, or even taking shots at the commissioner's office for harsh or unfair treatment. Instead Johnson is not so much apologetic in his remarks, but they seem to be more of a young man that has made his mistakes, paid his legal price for those mistakes, and now will also own up to his mistakes via a suspension by his employer, the NFL, by publicly saying it is an opportunity for him to move forward.

While not dismissing Johnson's behavior that led to not only legal, but NFL personal conduct consequences, it is at the very least very refreshing to see a privileged athlete not look to strike out at anyone within earshot to evoke sympathy, or a sympathetic ear as they look for someone else to blame for their troubles.

Johnson is the third player that will be sidelined for all or part of the 2007 season under Commissioner Goodell's much tougher personal conduct standards, joining Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones, suspended for all of 2007 and Cincinnati's Chris Henry who will also be out for the first 8 games of the coming season like Johnson. Johnson will be allowed to attend training camp and allowed to play in the preseason games.