Urlacher sought leniency for 'father figure' Vrdolyak

FAST EDDIE'S SENTENCING | Ex-Bear Tank Johnson also came to disgraced former alderman's defense

He was a longtime political insider, but former Chicago Ald. Ed Vrdolyak apparently forged some close ties to Bears players, too.

Before Vrdolyak's sentencing earlier this year, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and former Bear Terry "Tank" Johnson each wrote letters to a federal judge, asking for leniency for Vrdolyak, newly unsealed court documents show.

In his letter, Urlacher described Vrdolyak as a "father figure" and said he got to know him after becoming friends with Vrdolyak's son Eddie.

"It is clear to anyone lucky enough to know him that all his actions are motivated by good intentions," Urlacher wrote.

Johnson, who faced legal troubles during his time here, wrote: "During my tenure in Chicago, I put myself into many tough situations by making bad decisions. Mr. Vrdolyak and I developed a close relationship during this period. He mentored me and told me a better path to take. He told me things about life and family that I still hold dear today. He was pretty tough on me, and I benefitted from it."

Johnson served time in Cook County Jail in 2007 for violating his probation on weapons charges. Urlacher served as a character witness at Johnson's sentencing that year. Johnson's legal entanglements prompted the Bears to let him go. Johnson now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Vrdolyak pleaded guilty to taking part in a mail fraud scheme involving Stuart Levine, an influence peddler who secretly recorded conversations with Vrdolyak. Prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur to send Vrdolyak to prison, but instead the judge gave him five years' probation.