Truth & Rumors > NFL
Ex-Bear Harris wants to play after dealing with wife's death
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09:15 AM ET 05.13 | Tommie Harris doesn't want your pity. A three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Bears, Harris still lives in a Chicago suburb, even after the team released him in February 2011, and he bristles at the awkward exchanges with strangers who recognize him and insist on offering condolences after the death of his wife, Ashley, three months ago. "If you feel sorry for my loss, just hold up two fingers," Harris tells the Sun-Times. "Just don't say nothing. You know what I mean? "There's nothing you should say. There's nothing to talk about." Then, his voice trails off before he concludes, "Until you've experienced it ... Together for nearly four years, Tommie and Ashley were married on New Year's Day, just two months after she'd given birth to their second child, Tinsley. During a trip to Oklahoma in February, she was rushed to the hospital with a stroke or brain aneurysm and died the next day. Ashley Harris was 29. Tommie Harris still doesn't know the cause of death, and he's still reluctant to speak about his wife. He leans on his faith and family to help him as he patiently considers his next career move (an NFL free agent, he still wants to play) and raises his two children.
Tommie Harris, Ashley Harris, Icon SMI
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Comments (20) Add A Comment
Damn.
Such a sad story... Hang in there, Tommie.
Melman
Total Comments (17541)
Bears need to put this guy back to work! Poor Guy!
Not4Nutten
Total Comments (9815)
Hope he gets another shot...hadn't heard this story until now.
Golden Bay
Total Comments (3923)
Yeah, I'd heard about her passing and then the Bears releasing him. Most surprised that he hadn't been picked up. Great player. Don't recall hearing any negative press on the guy either.
Lightly Salted Nuts
Total Comments (4086)
I feel horrible for his loss. Let him take out some anger on the field.
Stuart MacDougal
Indianapolis, IN
Total Comments (4172)
+1
Melman
Total Comments (17541)
Any one know why the bears released him ?
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2867)
I think playing football again would be therapeutic for Tommie. The money wouldn't hurt either.
Gekko85
Total Comments (277)
"Underperformance" was the reason the team gave at the time of his release. I remember Lovie had stated not long beforehand that Harris fit into his plans for that upcoming season, which lead me to believe it was a salary cap-related decision made by Jerry Angelo.
Melman
Total Comments (17541)
And in the Jets thread, Angelo's underperformance was addressed.
Lightly Salted Nuts
Total Comments (4086)
I hope things get better in his life, he's right, that is hard to comprehend unless you go thru it
Mangler.
Total Comments (11428)
Underperformance? Yeah, that's one term not used often enough regarding J.A's tenure.
Melman
Total Comments (17541)
Harris injured his knee and basically lost the burst of speed that made him so effective.
BitterOldMan
Mount Prospect , IL
Total Comments (51)
I have a hard time believing that there isn't a team out there that couldn't use this guy.
THE BISHOP!
Total Comments (13361)
Including the Bears. Even if he isn't at 100%, I believe that his presence would help Peppers get in the backfield.
Lightly Salted Nuts
Total Comments (4086)
holding up two fingers
bhaboush
Richmond , VA
Total Comments (180)
+1
Lightly Salted Nuts
Total Comments (4086)
"Underperformance" as a word to describe Angelo's work is a euphemism.
George W. Watson
Green Acres, IL
Total Comments (2089)
<holds up two fingers>
Formerly from Ewa…
Sand Patch, PA
Total Comments (5982)
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