NFL - Sports Rumors

Fri May 16, 2008 12:09 pm EDT

Former Texas great Campbell criticizes Bears' Benson

By Joe Zedalis

Cedric Benson

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Cedric Benson should know by now the eyes of Texas will be on him at all times and that he should avoid situations that carry the slightest hint of trouble, a fellow Longhorns legend says. Earl Campbell, the 1977 Heisman Trophy winner from Texas, basically agrees with Bears general manager Jerry Angelo that Benson is responsible for putting himself in the wrong place at the wrong time before being arrested May 3. Campbell told the Austin-American Statesman in Thursday's editions that Benson, facing misdemeanor charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, made a "dumb mistake."

"I think at some point you have to stand up and take responsibility and realize that you not only represent Cedric Benson and the Chicago Bears and your family," Campbell told the newspaper. "It's bigger than that. You represent the university family. You as a man should have some pride in what you do."

The comments came at a private golf tournament in Texas at which Campbell appeared with another former Texas Heisman winner, Ricky Williams-a player to whom Benson often is compared. Williams also told the paper Benson had invited him to spend that day on his boat on Lake Travis near Austin with the group of 15 friends that included Benson's mom, Jackie.

Source: Chicago TribuneNew Window

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72 Comments

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  1. ctkenjr
    1. Posted by ctkenjr Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    I could care less about this arrest, I just want the Bears to get a running back that is productive, Benson stinks.
  2. tmac19742002
    2. Posted by tmac19742002 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:13 pm EDT

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    well stated...i wish da bears would have never drafted him, we should have taken a wide receiver that year....I knew this guy was going to be another curtis ennis, all pay but no play. Hopefully this last episode with this guy will be the final straw that broke the camel's back....Only reason the bears have kept him was to try to save face over the ridiculous contract they gave him....Go bears 2008-09!!!
  3. niloc1969
    3. Posted by niloc1969 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    I am sick and tired of the Bears RB selections and their QB selections which have been poor before and after Payton and McMahon...I am sometimes ashamed and embarrassed of the way the Bears AND Bulls management makes dumb choice after dumb choice...they should go after Jeff Garcia if nothing else...and for crying out loud..Pay Urlacher the Money he deserves and lets move foward!
  4. CJ
    4. Posted by CJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:24 pm EDT

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    With all due respect, Earl Campbell needs to be quiet. If what Benson and witnesses said is true, then Benson didn't do anythiing wrong. All he was doing was out on his boat with some friends. It's not like Pacman Jones who kept putting himself in bad situations. Benson was pulled over and harrassed. He has multiple witnesses who have collaborated that his story is true. Seems like any player that gets in even a little bit of trouble gets thrown under the bus by the media and everybody else. By the way, just because their professional athletes doesn't mean their not like every other person around their age, people get DUI's everyday and alot worse. The fact that they make millions of dollars and have people constantly watching them just makes it worse for them. So Earl, please get your story straight.
  5. Robert B
    5. Posted by Robert B Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:55 pm EDT

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    Everyone stinks with a Bears offense ran by Turner. How can a runner be productive when everyone in the stadium knows he's getting the ball? Cam Cameron might not have done much with Miami as a head coach, but he knew how to get the most out of the Chargers Offense. LT set records with him calling the plays Fire Turner! Hire Cameron.
  6. nep617mvp
    6. Posted by nep617mvp Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    4 it will all come out in the wash i am sure.
  7. Bill G
    7. Posted by Bill G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    This is an additional confirmation that we should have kept Thomas Jones and dealt Benson.
  8. niloc1969
    8. Posted by niloc1969 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    Rashaan Salaam+ Curtis Enis+ Anthony Thomas+ Cedric Benson should equal a major firing of upper management not to mention the QB selections they have and continue to make...its a freakin' joke
  9. chris jones
    9. Posted by chris jones Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    I love Earl, he is the reason I love football the way that I do. That said, #4 is right, it is not like he was at a strip club or shot at someone. He should ask his buddy Ricky about being a man. Plus, tu SUX! Whoop!
  10. ski bum
    10. Posted by ski bum Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    I am not really a Cedric Benson fan, but let's face it, any running back trying to run behind that pourous line last year was going nowhere. I am glad they drafted Forte, but let's see how these guys (including quarterbacks) perfom this year. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. That O line got awfully old awfully quick after the SB. In my mind, the jury is still out on Angelo. He can make good moves and he can make some really bad moves, too (after all, he did draft The Windy City Flyer). I agree with one of the other people who commented. Ron Turner is the main problem. And I still think Michael McCaskey is pulling the strings.
  11. niloc1969
    11. Posted by niloc1969 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    Not Great but had the full respect of his teamates and he was a Gamer..not Hall of Fame material at all but tough and a great leader...we havent had that since...bring back Bob Avelini!..hahah
  12. dustin s
    12. Posted by dustin s Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    I am a min viking fan, so what ever happens to him its his own fault for being at the wrong place at the wrong time ... go vikings
  13. sportsnut888
    13. Posted by sportsnut888 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

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    Right on, Earl Campbell!
  14. Carlo
    14. Posted by Carlo Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    I agree with # 4's comment. Earl Campbell needs to shutup. Is he saying that just because you play pro sports you can't be human. It's stupid to have a small gathering in the OFF-SEASON on a boat with your mom. I don't see the stupidity, what I see is a good 'ol boy from the seventies and the south who doesn't understand the struggle for today's African-American male. Benson should be able to enjoy himself in the off-season in any capacity he wants regardless of how much of a bust he is. What Campbell should do is understand that 30 years have passed and the police are as bad if not worse than they were then. How can it be a 'dumb mistake'? Lets remember we are talking about a man in his mid 20's is he not supposed to enjoy himself anymore. I find Campbell's remarks offensive and a major factor in why there has been no change in the way police deal with minorities. Because of prominent black figures like he who choose to ignore the problems minorities face with police and society in general. Listen Earl, if you're not going to attempt to make change PLEASE SHUT THE *&^% UP.
  15. fred f
    15. Posted by fred f Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    I like what Earl Campball said and he said it in a classy way,and What Ricky Williams was NOT ON THE BOAT,there is hope for Ricky now that he is going to play for the Dolphins!!!!!!!!
  16. Simplee Poetik
    16. Posted by Simplee Poetik Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:43 pm EDT

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    #4 You are right. How is spending a time relaxing with friends and family putting yourself in a bad sitiuation. Campbell and Jerry were not there and so far all the witnesses stories are collaborating so either they are all lying are there are some fishy practices by law enforcement in Texas when it comes to African American and boats. But the story has it that every time he has gone boating on that lake he has been getting stopped for routine checks. Now is it just me or is it that the random checks only happen when he is on the water? Campbell and the Bears need to let all the facts come in before passing judgement on anything.
  17. Kim
    17. Posted by Kim Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:07 pm EDT

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    Benson is a bum.
  18. roland
    18. Posted by roland Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:36 pm EDT

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    A wide receiver??? What you need is quarterback!!!!!!
  19. BIGAD
    19. Posted by BIGAD Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    #18 Well said
  20. Mr. Z
    20. Posted by Mr. Z Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    You know, I really want to believe what Cedric Benson is saying. I really do. But if what he says is, in fact, true, then what kind of cops do they have in Texas? There are so many good cops out there and there are some bad ones too. But to do what Benson says they did, in front of 30 witnesses, is beyond my comprehension. Besides that, I agree with Campbell in that pro athletes need to hold themselves to a higher standard, and then let me add that we all need to hold ourselves to a higher standard. If we don't all wake up and smell the coffee pretty soon, this country, as a whole, is in deep...well you know.
  21. CW
    21. Posted by CW Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    Benson has been nothing more than a big money bust and this just shows that he cares more about making himself look like a big shot in front of his friends and family and doesn't care about doing what it takes to be the player he is paid and supposed to be
  22. LOGAN H
    22. Posted by LOGAN H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    Hey roland m well said
  23. Forty
    23. Posted by Forty Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    Man...Earl is one of my all-time fav backs...but i think he's wrong on this one.....sounds a lil uncle tomish.
    I guess it was Rodney King's fault that he got beaten as well. I guess it was MLK's and Kennedy's fault they got assasinated.
  24. DR SLUT
    24. Posted by DR SLUT Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:08 pm EDT

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    #32 thanks for telling the truth.Personal responsability is a lesson everyone has to learn.It dictates the way one lives his life.It takes a man to accept that he's not perfect,however it takes a whinner to blame someone else. Or I could say VOTE FOR OBAMA HE'LL CHANGE YOUR HOPE INTO A DREAM OF THAT YOUR HOPE WILL CHANGE INTO PUPPIES AND RAINBOWS THAT'LL GIVE YOU HOPE THAT WILL CHANGE INTO A HOPE THAT ALL POLICE WILL CHANGE INTO ALLOWING THEM TO GIVE ALL DISRESPECTFUL PEOPLE A CHANGE OF HOPE! IN OTHER WORDS A CAMPAIGN ABOUT NOTHING!
  25. alternatejuror5
    25. Posted by alternatejuror5 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    ...I think the Vikings Boat Party was clearly better than the Bears Boat Party.....

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