Pro footballer Jeremiah Ratliff, who was released by the Chicago Bears on Oct. 22, reportedly called himself the devil and told team staff members he wished death on their children a day before being released by the team.
According to a police report obtained by TMZ Sports, Ratliff also allegedly told someone that he “felt like killing everybody in the building” prompting Bears officials to request police presence for the remainder of the day. Some staffers were concerned because Ratliff is known to own a number of firearms. There were no further incidents once he left the facility.
Ratliff’s alarming comments happened on the same day the defensive lineman was seen having a heated and intense exchange with Bears GM Ryan Pace in the parking lot of the team facility while the rest of the team was practicing.
Ratliff’s agent, Mark Slough, released a statement to the press regarding the incident reading in part:
“Jeremiah has no recollection or memory of saying anything that has been reported in the police report. Jeremiah is receiving care in Dallas for a football-related medical condition that arose out of the game on the 18th with Detroit. The primary focus right now is on Jeremiah’s cognitive health. I would also like to reiterate that the reports that Jeremiah showed up at Halas Hall inebriated are utterly and completely false.”
The 34-year-old Ratliff appeared in just two games for the Bears this season. He tallied eight combined tackles and no sacks after registering 6.5 sacks in 11 games last season.
One can’t help but wonder if perhaps some undiagnosed mental issues are at play here. Nonetheless, Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston is hopeful for Ratliff’s future.
“My concern for him is that he’s able to move forward and not let this hinder the rest of his life,” Houston said. “He’s very young and has a lot of life left to live. You just hope this one incident doesn’t deter his life from where it was headed.”
