Former Illinois quarterback Christopher Pazan has made headlines once again, but not for his on-field heroics or his career in law enforcement. Rather, this time it’s for an alleged off-field misstep: an attempt to pilfer $300 worth of baseball cards from a suburban retail store, a move that’s causing quite a stir among his admirers and colleagues alike.
Pazan, a 41-year-old who traded the playbook for a badge, was apprehended this past Wednesday afternoon. He stands accused of trying to covertly make his exit from a Meijer store located on South Western Avenue in the heart of Evergreen Park with a stash of baseball cards. The only payment he had made was for the yard waste bag he cunningly used to conceal the cards, according to law enforcement authorities. It’s a classic case of a sports enthusiast perhaps indulging too deeply in his love for collectible memorabilia — and quite possibly a sign of deeper troubles.
Sgt. Victor Watts of the Evergreen Park Police detailed that this wasn’t a simple mistake of forgetting to pay. Security footage allegedly captures Pazan slipping the soon-to-be prized possessions into the yard waste bag before calmly proceeding to the checkout. Only, his shopping lacked a transaction for the treasure trove of cards now accompanying him out the door.
Since 2015, Pazan has been serving the Chicago public in a different field, swapping game-winning drives for patrol shifts. A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department has confirmed that Pazan has since been strapped of his authority within the department pending an internal investigation. Prior to this arrest, he was stationed at the Morgan Park District and detailed to the central investigations division, where he managed cases spanning from arson to major crashes. It’s a curious twist of fate for someone used to dissecting crime as opposed to being pursued for committing one.
Efforts to reach Pazan for comment have been met with silence. Similarly, discussions with his legal representative have yet to yield any public statements, leaving many to ponder reasons behind the sudden detour in judgment for a man known for calculated plays on the football field.
Before he donned a badge, Pazan remained a prominent figure in Chicago sports – celebrated for his prowess on the field during his tenure at Brother Rice High School. Accolades of All-American honors were his, and eventually, a spot on the University of Illinois roster followed, allowing him to start a handful of games. His post-football career paved a coaching path at Illinois and St. Joseph’s College, yet the call of public service led him to the world of policing – a field he expressed deep commitment toward during a 2015 interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Pazan has encountered his share of skirmishes, not on the field, but financially. A salary north of $111,804 does not seem to have been a savior from mounting financial pressures, especially amid an ongoing divorce and the various fees that ripple through legal battles. Court documents allude to outstanding attorney fees, with his former legal representative, Tania K. Harvey, imploring the court for payment of over $5,800 in due fees. In response to growing financial quakes, Pazan has planned to refinance his Beverly home, with hopes of easing his debt load.
Dubious financial ties aren’t a recent development for Pazan. Although he’s managed to dodge a previous claim from Fifth Third Bank regarding a $4,000 loan – an endeavor the bank abandoned after unsuccessfully locating him – woes resurfaced in 2022 when JPMorgan Chase stepped in with a lawsuit over $15,000. A settlement eventually ensued, seeing Pazan clear the debt in the first half of 2024.
Certainly, the Chicago police screening process is stringent, focusing keenly on potential cadet’s financial backgrounds in an effort to eschew vulnerabilities to corruption. Significant financial distress can halt an applicant’s acceptance to the force, a screen some would argue could have anticipated Pazan’s tumble.
Now, a misdemeanor retail theft charge stands over Pazan’s head, with the occasion set to take the legal stage on June 23 in Bridgeview. A small pudgy card stock stands as an unexpected adversary on Pazan’s path, leaving many to question whether a fandom crossed into obsession or if troubles off the field inadvertently pushed him toward an unexplainable faux pas. As those close to the case await the pending legal proceedings, they wonder if the storied ex-quarterback can pull anything resembling a hail-mary to reclaim his sterling reputation.
