Bears cut Tank Johnson

CHICAGO – Tank Johnson tried the patience of the Chicago Bears numerous times. Still, they provided support, visited him in jail and gave him more than enough chances to turn his life around and advance his career.

But after his latest run-in with the law in Arizona, the Bears had seen enough and it was time to let him go.

The Bears, saying they were “embarrassed” and that Johnson had “compromised the credibility” of the team with his latest incident, released the defensive tackle Monday.

Johnson was waived three days after he was pulled over by police in Arizona. He already had been suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 season for violating probation on a gun charge. He spent two months in jail and was released in May.

“We are upset and embarrassed by Tank’s actions last week,” general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement. “He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error. Our goal was to help someone through a difficult period in his life, but the effort needs to come from both sides. It didn’t, and we have decided to move on.”

Police in the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert said Johnson was stopped for driving 40 mph in a 25 mph zone at 3:30 a.m. Friday and the officer made observations that led him to believe Johnson was impaired.

Sgt. Andrew Duncan, a police spokesman, said Johnson was arrested for “DUI Impaired to the Slightest Degree” but was released without being booked or charged.

Duncan said Johnson was taken to the Gilbert police station, where officials drew blood for a blood-alcohol content test before his release. He described Johnson as “very cooperative.”

Test results aren’t expected for up to two weeks, and they would be sent to Gilbert town prosecutors for consideration of any charges.

Johnson had called his suspension an “opportunity for me to move forward.” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had said the suspension could be reduced to six games if Johnson had no further involvement with law enforcement and underwent counseling.

Johnson released a statement Monday evening through his Chicago attorney Lorna Propes:

“I want to thank the Bears organization and fans for their support during a difficult time,” he said. “I regret that I have to leave Chicago under these circumstances and wish my friends at the Chicago Bears nothing but the best.”