There are a few sides to Brandon Marshall. He can write an eloquent, thoughtful opinion piece on mental illness for the Chicago Sun-Times. He also struggles with personal demons that have led to repeated brushes with the law.
The latest accusation came in March. Marshall was accused of punching a woman during an incident at a New York nightclub. Marshall expressed confidence he would be cleared of the charges during a Monday radio appearance.
"You definitely have to let the judicial system take its course, but again this also is one of those things as a result of everything I've been through in the past," Marshall said on 1000-AM in Chicago. "When you go through things that I've been through, it makes you a bigger target. Not only am I an NFL player, I'm an NFL player that has had trouble in the past. Whenever I step out, the target on my back is pretty much bigger than 90 percent, 95 percent of the guys in the league because of who I am and what I've been through.
"So the situation in New York, it's unfortunate. You never want to see anyone get hurt, but just the allegation of me balling my fist up and hitting that woman is just a lie. ... When the judicial system takes its course, I'm very confident I will be cleared of any wrongdoing."
The Bears sound confident it won't be an issue for Marshall too. They claimed to have known about the incident before they dealt for Marshall, but news of the problem came out just after Miami traded him to Chicago for two third-round picks.
Marshall is the key piece to Chicago's revamping of their wide receiver position. It's unclear if he'll face league discipline.