On 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.