racosun
09-06-2008, 08:21 PM
Former Pro-Bowler Rudi Johnson got the boot from the Bengals team as they decided to go in a different direction. Only 28 years old, he wasn't quite ready to hang up the cleats, so after a few phone calls he decided to make a visit to Lions GM Matt Millen's office. Apparantly the meeting went well, and before long there was an agreement on a one-year deal for Johnson to join the backfield in Detroit.
That said, Johnson's signing meant that someone had to go in order for the team to have roster space. In this case, it was Tatum Bell. He didn't take any parting shots at the front office or the coaching staff, but he did take his replacement's luggage. Yep, took his stuff. After Johnson had signed his deal with Millen and the Lions, he went back to the lockerroom where he had set his travel bags only to find them missing. After Rudi and Millen turned over every leaf in search of the stuff, Millen remembered that the team had cameras installed in the facility, and suggested that Rudi and himself have a look at the tapes. There it was, the caper on film. While Johnson and Millen were hammering out a deal in Millen's office, Tatum Bell put his gear and whatnot into his car, along with Johnson's stuff.
The incident is odd and bizarre, and has received national attention. Bell claims that it was an accident and a misunderstanding. He says that another player who was released had asked him to pick up his gear as well, since he was heading that way. He then goes on to say that he saw the luggage sitting next to a computer, and (without peeking inside of them) decided that they were the ones he was asked to retrieve. According to Bell, he then dropped them off at an unidentified (why?) woman's house and went on his merry way. He supposedly had no idea the stuff belonged to the guy who was taking his roster spot and way of life.
There was nothing of significant value inside of Rudi Johnson's luggage. Just some undies, personal identification, maybe a credit card or two, and a money clip holding around $200. The ID and credit cards can be easily replaced, and new undies are not necessary (everyone goes "commando" every now and then). But it was the principal of the matter that counts to Johnson, who chose not to press charges (again, why?). The next day, after the story started to circulate amongst the various press agencies, the luggage was returned to the Lions facility, although it was nearly empty. No undies, no ID, no cash, just an empty money clip. Johnson is baffled that the clip was returned, as it was probably worth more than the rest of the stuff in the bag.
Since then, Bell has tried to state his case that it was a misunderstanding, that he is not and has never been a thief. He's left messages for Johnson, who refuses to discuss the matter any further. Johnson is convinced that it was sour grapes, that Bell was attemting to retaliate because of his lost job, because he's not as good at what he does as someone else. Instead of calling the cops and allowing the justice system to punish the persons involved, Johnson is being the bigger man and forcing Bell to live with his actions internally. Which makes sense to me: Bell took Johnson's luggage out of spite, and is now saddled with the self-created luggage of being known as a sore loser.
Karma, baby. :choke:
That said, Johnson's signing meant that someone had to go in order for the team to have roster space. In this case, it was Tatum Bell. He didn't take any parting shots at the front office or the coaching staff, but he did take his replacement's luggage. Yep, took his stuff. After Johnson had signed his deal with Millen and the Lions, he went back to the lockerroom where he had set his travel bags only to find them missing. After Rudi and Millen turned over every leaf in search of the stuff, Millen remembered that the team had cameras installed in the facility, and suggested that Rudi and himself have a look at the tapes. There it was, the caper on film. While Johnson and Millen were hammering out a deal in Millen's office, Tatum Bell put his gear and whatnot into his car, along with Johnson's stuff.
The incident is odd and bizarre, and has received national attention. Bell claims that it was an accident and a misunderstanding. He says that another player who was released had asked him to pick up his gear as well, since he was heading that way. He then goes on to say that he saw the luggage sitting next to a computer, and (without peeking inside of them) decided that they were the ones he was asked to retrieve. According to Bell, he then dropped them off at an unidentified (why?) woman's house and went on his merry way. He supposedly had no idea the stuff belonged to the guy who was taking his roster spot and way of life.
There was nothing of significant value inside of Rudi Johnson's luggage. Just some undies, personal identification, maybe a credit card or two, and a money clip holding around $200. The ID and credit cards can be easily replaced, and new undies are not necessary (everyone goes "commando" every now and then). But it was the principal of the matter that counts to Johnson, who chose not to press charges (again, why?). The next day, after the story started to circulate amongst the various press agencies, the luggage was returned to the Lions facility, although it was nearly empty. No undies, no ID, no cash, just an empty money clip. Johnson is baffled that the clip was returned, as it was probably worth more than the rest of the stuff in the bag.
Since then, Bell has tried to state his case that it was a misunderstanding, that he is not and has never been a thief. He's left messages for Johnson, who refuses to discuss the matter any further. Johnson is convinced that it was sour grapes, that Bell was attemting to retaliate because of his lost job, because he's not as good at what he does as someone else. Instead of calling the cops and allowing the justice system to punish the persons involved, Johnson is being the bigger man and forcing Bell to live with his actions internally. Which makes sense to me: Bell took Johnson's luggage out of spite, and is now saddled with the self-created luggage of being known as a sore loser.
Karma, baby. :choke: