Ex-Chicago Bears star Alshon Jeffery faces charges

The Bears drafted Jeffrey in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft(45th overall). After catching just 24 passes for 367 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, he had a breakout season in 2013. That year, he had 1,421 yards, the second most in team history. He also had seven touchdowns and formed a formidable receiving duo with Brandon Marshall.

After five seasons with the Bears, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played a pivotal role in their Super Bowl LII championship in 2017, recording 73 yards and a touchdown in the victory. His NFL career concluded after the 2020 season.

Jeffery’s arrest adds his name to a list of former Bears who have faced legal issues after their playing careers.

One of the most notable examples is Sam Hurd, a former Bears wide receiver who was arrested in 2011 on federal drug trafficking charges. He later received a 15‑year federal prison sentence. In February 2023, he was released from prison.

Another former Bear who made headlines for the wrong reasons is Cedric Benson, the team’s 2005 first‑round pick. Benson was arrested multiple times for boating while intoxicated and driving under the influence. He tragically passed away in 2019 following a motorcycle accident.

Former defensive lineman Tank Johnson also had a well‑publicized series of legal troubles during his Bears tenure, including weapons charges and a suspension that ultimately contributed to his release from the team. He even spent four months in jail for violating probation in a 2005 gun case.

While these incidents span different eras and circumstances, Jeffrey becomes the latest former Bear to find himself in trouble with the law, a development that ought to make Bears fans both shocked and sad.