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Tommie Harris

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Tommie Harris
refer to caption
Harris in 2007
No. 91, 96, 90
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1983-04-29) April 29, 1983 (age 41)
Nuremberg, Germany
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:Ellison
College:Oklahoma
NFL draft:2004 / round: 1 / pick: 14
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:231
Sacks:31.5
Forced fumbles:6
Fumble recoveries:7
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Tommie Harris Jr. (born April 29, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Oklahoma, and was recognized as a consensus All-American twice. The Chicago Bears chose him in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft, and he also played a season for the San Diego Chargers. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Early life

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Harris was born in Nuremberg, Germany to Tommie Sr, a former Army drill sergeant, who became a Pentecostal minister, and Janine, a special education teacher. Harris was raised in a devout Christian household alongside his four sisters.[1][2] The family relocated often due to Tommie Sr's role in the Army before settling in Killeen, Texas.[2]

He attended Ellison High School in Killeen. As a member of the Ellison Eagles, Harris became one of the nation's top defensive high school prospects, including being ranked as the No. 35 high school prospect in the nation by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming.[3] During the 1998 football season, he was a back-up defensive tackle in his sophomore year for the Eagles who were ranked No. 1 in the state of Texas and No. 13 in the nation. He was also a member of Ellison's track and field team, where he participated in the shot put.

College career

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While attending the University of Oklahoma, Harris played for coach Bob Stoops's Oklahoma Sooners football team from 2001 to 2003. He is one of the very few players in OU history to start every game of his true freshman season. He was a two-time All-Big 12 selection, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 2002 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 2003.[4] In his junior and final season as a Sooner, Harris won the Lombardi Award as the nation's best lineman in 2003. He was named to the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team in 2009.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄2 in
(1.89 m) 		295 lb
(134 kg) 		32 in
(0.81 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.78 s 4.31 s 31 in
(0.79 m)		 9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)		 29 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[5]

Chicago Bears

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The Chicago Bears selected Harris in the first round, 14th overall, in the 2004 NFL draft.[6] Harris, a 3-technique defensive tackle, complimented Lovie Smith's Cover 2 defense, which relied on mobile lineman to penetrate the line of scrimmage.[7] Smith compared Harris to Warren Sapp, whom he coached during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[8] Harris appeared in all 16 games for the Bears during the 2004 NFL season, where he recorded 44 combined tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He finished second in balloting for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.[9]

In 2005, Harris was selected for the 2006 Pro Bowl.[6]

Harris enjoyed an excellent start to the 2006 season, leading the league with five sacks after four games.[6] He was instrumental in a week 3 victory over the Vikings, disrupting a handoff in the Vikings backfield and forcing a fumble, which allowed the Bears to score the game-winning touchdown. Harris was awarded the NFC's "Defensive Player of the Week" award twice in three weeks.[6] Harris suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the Bears' Week 13 victory against the Vikings.[6] Harris was selected to play in the 2007 Pro Bowl.[6]

Harris missed the first three games of the 2007 preseason while recovering from his hamstring injury.[10] He played in the Bears' season opener against the San Diego Chargers and forced a fumble.[11] He appeared in all 16 games for the Bears, finishing the 2007 campaign with two forced fumbles and a career high eight sacks.[12]

Harris, along with Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown and Mark Anderson during training camp in 2008

One June 19, 2008, Harris signed a four-year contract extension with the Bears worth $40 million, which made him the highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL. The incentive-laden contract awarded Harris $8.5 million if he was selected to the Pro Bowls in 2008, 2009, and 2010, while also including an additional $2 million bonus based on performance. $17 million of the contract was covered in guaranteed money.[13] Harris missed the Bears week four game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a knee injury. The Bears suspended Harris for their following game against the Detroit Lions for missing scheduled treatments to rehabilitate his knee without a proper excuse.[14] Harris appeared in 14 games for the Bears, tallying 37 tackles and 4 sacks.[12]

Harris at Manas Air Base

Harris' role with the Bears decreased after he injured his knee during a Week 3 game of the 2009 season.[15] Harris never fully recovered from the injury.[6][16] On November 8, Harris was ejected just 65 seconds into the first quarter in a game against the Arizona Cardinals for punching guard Deuce Lutui in the face. He later apologized for the incident.[17]

In 2010, Harris was benched after the second week of the season.[18] Head coach Lovie Smith stated, "We have 45 guys that you can go with; we have everybody healthy right now. Just felt like we wanted to get a look at Marcus Harrison, him and Henry Melton inside, a little bit. Just performance based. Tommie's been doing everything we've asked him to do.[18]" The same week, former defensive tackle Warren Sapp criticized Harris, comparing him to "blind dog in a meat house.[19]" Harris struggled to retain his starting position throughout the season. He recorded his only sack of the season in week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. He finished the season with only 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks, his lowest during his time in Chicago.[12]

The Bears released Harris after the season on February 28, 2011. Harris concluded his seven-year tenure with the Bears with 213 tackles, 28.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles in 104 games.[20]

Indianapolis Colts

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On August 2, 2011, Harris signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts, but was released on September 3.[21]

San Diego Chargers

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Harris signed with the San Diego Chargers on September 28, 2011 to reinforce the team's defensive line following injuries to Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire.[21] He appeared in 13 games for the Chargers where he recorded 12 tackles and 3.5 sacks.[12]

Retirement

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Tommie Harris retired from football in 2012 to raise his children following his wife's unexpected death.[22][23]

NFL career statistics

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Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2004 CHI 16 43 58 15 3.5 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2
2005 CHI 16 32 37 5 3.0 2 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2006 CHI 12 28 34 6 5.0 0 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2007 CHI 16 36 41 5 8.0 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2008 CHI 14 37 41 4 5.0 0 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2009 CHI 15 24 29 5 2.5 0 1 0 1 6 6.0 6 0 1
2010 CHI 15 13 17 4 1.5 0 2 9 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2011 SD 13 13 13 0 3.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Career[24] 117 226 182 44 31.5 5 7 0 1 6 6.0 6 0 5

Post-retirement

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Harris was the co-owner of the Texas Outlaws of the Fall Experimental Football League along with fellow NFL alum Eric Bassey.[25] Harris donated $165,000 to pay for new equipment in the Lions Club Park Family Recreation and Senior Center in Killeen, Texas. The facility's recreation center was named after him to honor his donation.[26]

Personal

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Harris was mentored by NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White, whose influence significantly shaped his life and playing career. Harris remained close with the White family even after his death in 2004.[2]

Harris married his wife, Ashley, in January 2012 and the couple had two children together.[9] In February 2012, Ashley suddenly died of a brain aneurysm while undergoing a routine medical procedure.[27] In 2016, Harris' daughter died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.[28] In 2017, his agent, William G. Horn, was revealed to be stealing money from Harris' charity and using it for personal expenses, including entertainment and traveling.[29] Horn was sentenced to 15 months in prison.[29] In 2020, Harris' father, Tommie Sr., died following a one-year struggle with kidney failure.[28] Harris published a book about coping with his personal struggles, titled Endure: Playing Through Life's Hardest Hits in 2021.[28]

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Harris was arrested in Chicago and charged with indecent exposure, urinating in public and simple assault for threatening a police officer in 2012.[30][31] He was arrested for trespassing in 2022 after refusing to leave the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City.[32]

References

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  1. ^ Tiansay, Eric (October 31, 2004). "Chicago Bears Rookie Seeks to Represent Christ in NFL". Charisma (magazine). Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Harris, Tommie (September 13, 2006). "Tommie Harris". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "Tom Lemming's Top 100 for 2001". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
  4. ^ 2011 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners Archived May 16, 2012, at Archive-It, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  5. ^ "Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, DT, 2004 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Larkin, Will (June 29, 2019). "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 69, Tommie Harris". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Trowbridge, Matt (August 28, 2009). "Bears have lean, mean defensive tackle". Journal Star (Peoria). Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Haugh, David (April 25, 2004). "Harris ideal pick for Bears". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Ex-Sooner DT Harris loses wife to brain aneurysm or stroke". Claremore Daily Progress. February 13, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "Off-field distractions, QB questions wear down Bears, Browns". NFL. Associated Press. August 29, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Wilson, Bernie (September 9, 2007). "San Diego 14, Chicago 3". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
  12. ^ a b c d "Espn.com". Archived from the original on October 12, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  13. ^ "Daily Herald | Bears reward Harris with $40M extension". Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  14. ^ Smith, Michael (October 7, 2008). "Bears' Harris suspended for Sunday's game vs. Lions". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  15. ^ McClure, Vaughn (October 23, 2009). "Tommie Harris 'doubtful' for Bengals game". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  16. ^ "Tommie Harris believes he can still play". ESPN. March 3, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Chicago Sun-Times | Tommie Harris-Deuce Lutui tussle began on play before ejection Archived December 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  18. ^ a b Jensen, Sean (September 28, 2010). "Bears deactivate Tommie Harris, bench Zack Bowman". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  19. ^ "Tommie Harris can't even find the meat house now". NBC Sports. September 28, 2010. Archived from the original on January 20, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  20. ^ Hayes, Neil (March 1, 2011). "End of line for Bears' Tommie Harris". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Chargers sign Harris, place Sanders on injured reserve". Fox News. September 28, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  22. ^ "My Greatest Loss | by Tommie Harris". February 17, 2017. Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  23. ^ Mayer, Larry (February 16, 2017). "Harris inspired by memory of his wife". chicagobears.com. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tommie Harris Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  25. ^ Garrett, Jaime (March 24, 2015). "Tommie Harris With Inspirational Message". KSSM. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  26. ^ Mohl, EvanKilleen Daily Herald (May 11, 2008). "Tommie Harris lends name to fitness center". Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  27. ^ "Tommie Harris' wife Ashley passes away". Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  28. ^ a b c Carlson, Jenni (October 21, 2021). "'I actually endured': How OU football legend Tommie Harris overcame his greatest obstacles". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Clay, Nolan (January 12, 2018). "Tommie Harris' former agent ordered to prison". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  30. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (October 2, 2012). "Tommie Harris charged with urinating in public". NFL. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  31. ^ "Tommie Harris, ex-Bears DT, arrested in Wrigleyville". ABC7 Chicago. October 2, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  32. ^ "Former Oklahoma Sooners great Tommie Harris arrested in Oklahoma City". KOKH-TV. September 28, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
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