Tank Johnson, the troubled Chicago Bears defensive lineman who was recently sentenced to 120 days in prison, is having problems making new friends in his new home. He's in protective custody, which means he's not having any contact with other inmates. When he first came into booking, though, Tank was a very popular man.

"They cleared the way for him," said Ford, 26, of Chicago. "There wasn't no smiling—he was just walking through."

Johnson didn't say a word even as inmates called out to him, Ford said.

"People was hollering his name, saying, 'Tank why don't you bond us out. Why didn't you win the Super Bowl?,'" Ford said.

Cyrus Jones, 25, of Chicago, said he was among those placed into the security area when Johnson was led through. He said when someone criticized the Bears, Johnson briefly turned around.

"He was mostly looking at the other fans who said, 'We love you Tank,'" said Jones, who is charged with domestic battery.

I understand, Tank. If I was in prison, I'd pay way more attention to the guys who said they loved me, as opposed to the guys who asked for bond money. There's a time and a place where it's good to be loved by the general public... and that place is not Cell Block D.

'Tank' in jail spotlight [Chicago Tribune]

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