• Profootballtalk.com reported that running back Tatum Bell allegedly stole the luggage of rival running back Rudi Johnson. ProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)

    1. Tatum Bell claimed to accidentally take luggageProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)
    2. Surveillance video was used to discover the culpritProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)
    3. Rudi Johnson and the Detroit Lions will not press chargesProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)
    4. Bags were returned to Johnson emptySI.com: Rudi Johnson: Bell took my luggage

  • Sour Grapes? Or Simply an Accident?

    Tatum Bell was the back-up running back in Detroit, when the Lions signed former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson. Shortly after the signing, Bell was cut from the team. While Johnson was in a meeting with team management, Bell apparently took Johnson's luggage.

    Speculation is that the act was done out of frustration by Bell after losing his job. Bell initially claimed he took the luggage by accident, thinking that it belonged to someone else. The Detroit Lions were able to determine that Bell was the culprit when management examined surveillance video from the team's facilities.ProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)

    Bell reportedly took the luggage to the home of a female acquaintance and asked her to hold it for him. He has since returned the luggage and apologized for the incident. The Detroit Lions and Rudi Johnson have declined to press charges against Bell.ProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)

    According to reports, Johnson's bag was returned empty, with Johnson's clothes, identification, $200 and credit cards still missing.SI.com: Rudi Johnson: Bell took my luggage