Even Before Arrest, Garrett Wolfe Was Longshot To Return To Bears

We mocked Ray Lewis when he suggested that no football would mean more crime. On the surface it sounds ridiculous. But it sure seems like guys are having trouble not getting arrested these days. Maybe it's our heightened awareness resulting from Lewis' public service announcement, or maybe player run-ins with the law really are on the rise because they have too much time on their hands.

Whatever the sociology behind the phenomenon, former Bears running back Garrett Wolfe could be in a lot of trouble after he was arrested May 22 in Miami Beach, Florida, and charged with retail theft, disorderly conduct, assault of a police officer and resisting an officer with violence.

Apparently, the arrest stemmed from Wolfe's refusal to pay a $1,600 bar tab.

Details via the Chicago Tribune:

If Wolfe can resolve his legal matter before free agency opens, that could aid him in finding a job. Some have speculated the arrest wiped him out of the Bears’ plans. However, the Bears gave a good indication they were ready to move on from the third-round draft pick in 2007 when they did not tender him an offer as a potential restricted free agent in February. While that doesn’t preclude them from pursuing him on the open market, it was a sign they weren’t making a move to protect him in the event he would be a restricted free agent. Now, Wolfe will be an unrestricted free agent.

Wolfe was also a special teams contributor, but as the Tribune's Bradd Biggs points out, those jobs are frequently filled by young players capable of growing into other roles, and they often don't have police records.

Wolfe is scheduled to be arraigned on June 21.