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Police report: Ex-Bears DT Jeremiah Ratliff made death threats

Former Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff threatened to kill people and professed to be the devil on Oct. 21 at the team’s headquarters.
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Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff allegedly said he wished a staff member's children would die and professed to be the devil on Oct. 21 at the team’s headquarters, according to a police report released Friday by the Lake Forest (Ill.) Police Department.

Ratliff, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was officially released by the Bears on Oct. 22. The transaction came a day after there were reports he had been escorted out of the team's practice facility after an exchange with the team's security staff. 

According to the police report, Ratliff learned on Oct. 21 that the team planned to release him and returned to the facility. At one point, according to the report, Ratliff said he "felt like killing everybody in the building." He left without incident, but then later returned to retrieve his cell phone. 

Staff members told police that Ratliff was "very angry and irrational" when he returned the second time. According to the report, a witness alleged that Ratliff said, "I am the devil" and that he "wished staff member's children would die."

A uniformed officer was later provided to stand by the facility until the following day, in order to prevent Ratliff from entering if he returned, but the player did not attempt to come back again. 

Ratliff’s agent, Mark Slough, issued a statement late Friday refuting the report.

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.

Ratliff was suspended for the first three games on the 2015 season after pleading guilty to a DWI charge in April.

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