Tatum Bell Has a Perfectly Legitimate Reason for Taking Rudi Johnson's Bags

Here's what we know: Tatum Bell isn't very smart, and we have the video footage to prove it. Beyond that, there's really not much to say. Which is why Bell has decided to speak up on the accusations that he purposely stole Rudi Johnson's luggage about 30 seconds after the Lions released him.

Yesterday Bell declared that he "ain't no thief" and that "it was all a misunderstanding," which I take to mean: "Yeah, I did it, but I got caught so I have to make up this lame excuse." Fine. It happens. You were mad about losing your job and this was the cleverest thing you could think to do on your way out the door. Whatever.

But instead of saying as much, Bell has decided to drag this out as long as possible. Good thinking.

From The Blog Formerly Known as Hashmarks:

(Bell believed the bags belonged to former Lions defensive end Victor DeGrate, who had asked Bell to pick them up and bring them to a female acquaintance. He said he was not aware they were Johnson's bags until the Lions called him Tuesday night.)

"I want to defend myself," Bell said, "but every time I do, it's like I'm throwing Victor under the bus and I don't want to do that. So I'm almost like, 'I've got to stop bringing his name into it.' But that's what happened. I'm not lying. And right now, everyone's putting it out there that I'm a thief. They're acting like I got released, and I was mad, so I took the bags of the guy they brought in behind me.

"But it's not true, and that's what's hurting me so much right now. I woke up this morning and I pretty much don't know what to do about it anymore. It's frustrating."

Thank God Bell isn't throwing Victor DeGrate under the bus by mentioning his name. Victor DeGrate. Victor DeGrate. Victor DeGrate.

I guess there's the slim possibility that Bell's telling the truth, but that doesn't explain why Johnson's money and credit cards were missing when the bags were returned. You know, since that would mean that DeGrate or his ladyfriend are the real crooks here. But again, we don't want to throw anybody under the bus.

In any event, it looks like Bell will have plenty of time to defend his honor since this incident has pretty much guaranteed his NFL career is over.