Lance Louis took the first step in putting an event from his past at San Diego State behind him when the Chicago Bears offensive lineman pleaded guilty Friday to misdemeanor battery stemming from a fight with a former teammate.

Louis attacked Aztecs safety Nick Sandford in a film room during November 2008. The seventh-round draft pick was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, a minimum of 12 hours in anger management classes and three years of informal probation along with a $565 fine, per Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.

What’s left to figure out is what civil responsibility Louis may have. Sandford has filed suit against Louis and ex-Aztecs coach Chuck Long. Sandford alleges that Long conspired to cover up the assault. What also hangs in the balance is what action, if any, the NFL will take vs. Long. He is subject to discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy because he was charged with a crime after he was drafted.

Louis could be in the mix for a position battle depending on how new line coach Mike Tice sorts things out. If Frank Omiyale is moved from left guard to right tackle – a move that is expected – the Bears will be looking to fill a hole at left guard. Josh Beekman has the most experience but the club will likely want to get a look at Louis and undrafted free agent Johan Asiata.

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