"But I believe in second chances if a guy deserves one, especially with young people. I just don't think you can give young people a death sentence for one thing that they've done. You do your research, and if there's … a series of things you don't like, that's different. But you go through that process. We will continue to go through that process. If someone is available, we're going to look at it ourselves and make decisions as we go."
While coach of the Bears, Smith drafted Texas RB Cedric Benson fourth overall in 2005 despite his two arrests in college, once for possession of marijuana and the other for criminal trespass. The Bears released Benson in 2008 after his second alcohol-related arrest in five weeks.
Smith stuck by DT Tank Johnson after he was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge. In '06, police found unlicensed firearms in Johnson's suburban Chicago house, and he was jailed for two months. Johnson was suspended for eight games, and the Bears cut him in June 2007 after a highly publicized traffic stop in Arizona, even though he was not charged.
Smith believes he can impact players' lives beyond the field, and his relationships with former players is proof. But he says some behavior has always been unacceptable. "Domestic violence has always been at the top," Smith said. "It's not okay to touch a woman. … We all know that. We know what's right and wrong. You don't need training like that. I will continue to coach our men about that."