Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where George buys Elaine this really nice cashmere sweater off the clearance rack, there because of a tiny red spot that Georgie thinks Elaine will never notice. Of course, everyone sees the spot and the great deal is out of the bag.
When the Bears acquired Brandaon Marshall for just two third round picks, I was stunned; shocked, actually. Late on one of the happiest days as a Bears fan, Adam Schefter posted a tweet that the NFL might be investigating Brandon Marshall following an “incident.” Every silver lining has a dark cloud. Next, we get this statement from Brandon Marshall’s attorney, via Jay Glazer:
"Statement from Brandon Marshalls Attorney Harvey Steinberg regarding Club incident:“On March 12,2012 Brandon Marshall was the key note speaker at a charitable event in New York. After the event was over he, his wife and close friends attended a function at a local club.While at the function a fight broke out NOT involving Mr. Marshall or his friends. While attempting to leave to avoid the melee Mrs. Marshall was struck in the face by a thrown bottle. She suffered serious injury.While attempting to leave and take his wife to the hospital, the mayhem continued outside. Finally Mr. Marshall was able to take his wife to the hospital where she was treated for serious injuries.Mr. Marshall is hoping to assist authorities in regards to this matter.”"
This is in stark contrast to the story that just popped up on the New York Post:
"The “Beast” has lived up to his nickname, a woman alleges.NFL star wide receiver Brandon Marshall — whose list of run-ins with the law is as long as a football field — allegedly slugged the woman at a Chelsea nightclub, The Post has learned.Marshall was at Marquee early Sunday when he got into an argument with a group of friends celebrating a birthday, law-enforcement sources said.Around 4 a.m., birthday girl Christin Myles, 24. left an upper floor to greet a friend downstairs.When Myles tried to get back upstairs, a bouncer told her she had to wait because there was a fight between two football players — Marshall, 27, and an unknown athlete — who were being thrown out of the club, the sources said.She later met up with her friends, who were arguing with the NFL bad boy and the other football player outside.Marshall — who earned his nickname with his aggressive style of play — then allegedly cold-cocked Myles in the left eye. She suffered a black eye. It wasn’t clear if he allegedly intended to strike her or one of her pals."
So no sooner is the ink dry on a police report and suddenly Marshall is on the bargain rack and there’s Phil Emery and the Bears to scoop him up. This opens up a myriad of questions:
- Did the Bears know about this incident prior to making the trade? According to the unnamed sources in the Post article, they did not, which leads me to questions 2 and 3.
- If they did not, are there grounds to go back to the Dolphins and either cancel the deal or at a minimum change the compensation package?
- If the Bears did not know about the incident, shame on them. Have they learned NOTHING from the Sam Hurd incident?
- With Marshall’s history, is it likely he gets a suspension?
For Marshall’s sake, I hope his wife is OK and his statement is legit. I just have a bad feeling about this one.