It was not the first time Benson had been in trouble with the law. At the University of Texas, Benson was arrested in 2002 for possession of marijuana and trespassing.
The Bears player's arrest in his home state was another let down for Coach Lovie Smith. He spoke about Benson's latest brush with the law Sunday afternoon after the Bears rookie mini camp wrapped up.
"Very disappointed," Coach Smith said.
Benson's mug shot can now be added to the professional athletes 'wall of shame.' The Bears running back was arrested Saturday night on Lake Travis outside of Austin, Texas. Benson was on his 30-ft. boat with about 12-15 passengers when a Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) officer came by to make a random safety inspection.
According to officials, an officer conducted a field sobriety "float test," which Benson failed. When asked to come to land for a more extensive test, officials say Benson began to argue and refused to put on a life jacket. The officer sprayed Benson with pepper spray when, according to the LCRA, "Benson continued to present himself as a threat."
"Anytime we are talking about one of our players getting arrested, we're disappointed," Lovie Smith said.
Dealing with arrests is nothing new for Lovie Smith. Defensive tackle Tank Johnson was cut from the team after a series of problems with the law, and last year, linebacker Lance Briggs pleaded guilty to abandoning his smashed up Laborghini on the Edens expressway.
"I'm getting sick and tired of all these NFL players getting into trouble. At some point, you have to be adult and grow up," said Bears fan Damien Taylor.
Sunday night, while watching the Cubs –Cardinals baseball game, many Chicago sports fans were taking football.
"Better get him out of here now because he's going to lose his spot to Forte anyway," said Tom Hoder also a Bears fan.
Cedric Benson's arrest came just two weeks after Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo talked about what he expected from players he drafts.
"We do not put winning in front of character. It doesn't work that way here," Angelo said April 26.
Jerry Angelo was not available for comment Sunday. He was out of town.
Some Bears fans said Benson's resisting arrested bothered them more than his drunken boating charge.
Benson was released after posting a $14, 500 bond.
