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Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger isn't worried about 'bad guy' label

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger insists the label didn’t bother him. But ha also said it limited his opportunities. As the one-time second-round pick bounced around the league for the first four years of his career, playing with three teams, questions arose about his character.

Swearinger said it prevented him from showing all he could do on the field.

“Previous teams labeled me a bad guy, a character issue guy,” he said. “That harmed me a little bit. Some coaches were scared to take chances.”

Houston cut Swearinger after his second season, reportedly in part because he did not want to play special teams.