Getty ImagesOn the same day that the second overall pick in the 1998 draft found himself sentenced to five years in prison, word has emerged that the 22nd overall pick from six years earlier was released from incarceration.
Alonzo Spellman, who spent six years with the Bears, one year out of the game, two with the Cowboys, and one with the Lions, pleaded no contest to a 10 different charges from 2008. He was sentenced to a year in jail and released for time served.
It’s unclear how much time Spellman, 40, actually served.
The collection of charges included eluding a police officer and assault with a dangerous weapon, both felonies, and misdemeanors counts of obstructing an officer and public intoxication.
Spellman has a long history of mental illness. His lawyer, David Phillips, told the Associated Press that Spellman was not taking his medication at the time of the incidents.
Here’s hoping he takes his medication going forward.
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I wish him good luck. Mental illness has enough stigma attached to it already. He’ll wear his condition like a proverbial scarlet letter, in the eyes of the general public.
I remember how much you used to hype this guy in Chicago. How he was a “physical freak of nature” with only 6% body fat. Too bad he was also a nutcase.
I feel bad for NFL fans that were too young to remember him. He was a memorable character. I remember watching him and thinking.. that guy is friggin crazy!
He got out just in time to join the concussion lawsuit and blame all his problems on the NFL!
What are the Bears going to do without their best defensive lineman? This is a huge NFL news story.
For some reason I usually take the “they don’t appreciate how lucky they had it” approach to these types of situations.
However for some reason I hope that both Alonzo Spellman and Barrett Robbins can find some form of peace while they still walk this earth.
He goes to jail but Ryan Leaf gets rehab? Only in America
kingcarlbanks says:
Jun 19, 2012 8:52 PM
I remember how much you used to hype this guy in Chicago. How he was a “physical freak of nature” with only 6% body fat. Too bad he was also a nutcase.
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Nice compassion, Kingcarl….. I assume all those in your world are impervious to mental disease. Must be nice being so perfect.
“Wow, I can’t believe it, here I am sitting in Alonzo Spellman’s old stall. I used to watch him on T.V. growing up….”.
Hmmm, this reminds me – wonder where Demetrius Underwood at…
so it wasn’t his fault he didn’t take his meds? whose fault was it? just another low iq entertainer!
kingcarl… wrote: remember how much you used to hype this guy in Chicago. How he was a “physical freak of nature” with only 6% body fat. Too bad he was also a nutcase”
Spellman was also the poster boy for underachievement.
These athletes never get a dose of reality because they are catered to from youth so what ever defect they have is never seen till they drive 100 mph drunk…..then its to late
Welcome home Alonzo. Get well soon.
I’d hate to be the cop that runs up on him.
Nut case, med issues, whatever……did you see his triceps though? They were the deal!