Brandon Marshall: Bears knew prior to trade of alleged incident at New York nightclub

Online Staff Report

Chicago Bears General Manager Phil Emery said in a statement the team was aware prior to the March 13 trade for receiver Brandon Marshall that Marshall was allegedly involved in an incident at a New York nightclub March 12 that left a woman with a black eye.

Marshall was reportedly with his wife at a nightclub in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York when he and another unidentified football player were thrown out around 4 a.m., Monday, March 12, because of an altercation. One woman who left the nightclub with a black eye alleged she was punched by Marshall, who was swinging at someone else.

“Both the Bears and Dolphins were aware of what occurred over the weekend,” Emery said in a statement. “We decided to move forward with the trade. We have high expectations for Brandon as a Bear.”

Marshall’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, said in a statement: “On March 12, 2012, Brandon Marshall was the keynote speaker at a charitable event in New York. After the event was over, he, his wife and close friends attended a function at a local club. While at the function, a fight broke out NOT involving Mr. Marshall or his friends. While attempting to leave to avoid the melee, Mrs. Marshall was struck in the face by a thrown bottle. She suffered serious injury.

“While attempting to leave and take his wife to the hospital, the mayhem continued outside,” Steinberg said. “Finally, Mr. Marshall was able to take his wife to the hospital, where she was treated for serious injuries. Mr. Marshall is hoping to assist authorities in regards to this matter.”

The NFL is expected to investigate the matter.

Marshall, who turns 28 March 23, has a somewhat checkered past that includes disorderly conduct, drunken driving and multiple incidents of alleged domestic violence.

In 2007, Marshall was involved in an altercation at a nightclub in Denver that preceded the drive-by murder of his teammate, Darrent Williams.

In 2008, Marshall was suspended for three games (later reduced to one) for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Just last year, Marshall was stabbed in the abdomen by his wife during a domestic dispute, although charges were dropped in that case.

In August 2011, Marshall revealed he has had treatment for borderline personality disorder and has struggled with anger management.

The Bears traded their 2012 and 2013 third-round draft picks to the Miami Dolphins March 13 for the three-time Pro-Bowl wide receiver.

Marshall was due $9.3 million, $9.1 million and $9.1 million over the next three seasons. The move created space under Miami’s salary cap that is expected to be used in attempts to sign free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning. However, March 14 reports indicated Manning had narrowed his options to either the Tennessee Titans or the Denver Broncos.

Marshall was a teammate of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler for three seasons in Denver. In two of those three seasons, the 6-foot-4-inch Marshall had more than 100 receptions for more than 1,000 yards.

Last season with Miami, Marshall had 81 receptions for 1,214 yards and six touchdowns. The Bears’ leading receiver last season was running back Matt Forte, who had 52 receptions for 490 yards and 1 touchdown in 12 games.

The Bears also agreed to terms March 13 with veteran quarterback Jason Campbell on a one-year contract. The 30-year-old has played six seasons in the NFL with Washington and Oakland, and has thrown for 14,417 yards, 74 touchdowns and 50 interceptions. He has a career completion percentage of 60.8, a career record of 31-39 as a starter and a career 82.8 passer rating.

Campbell is expected to serve as Cutler’s backup in 2012. Following a Nov. 20, 2011, injury that ended Cutler’s season, the Bears, who were 7-3 at the time, finished the season 1-5 and missed the playoffs.

Posted March 14, 2012

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