Tommie Harris
{{Short description|American football player (born 1983)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Tommie Harris
| image = Tommie_Harris.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Harris in 2007
| number = 91, 96, 90
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|4|29|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Nuremberg, Germany
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 295
| high_school = Ellison (Killeen, Texas), U.S.
| college = Oklahoma
| draftyear = 2004
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 14
| pastteams = * Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2004}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2011}})*
- San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|2011}})
| highlights = * Second-team All-Pro (2005)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2005–2007)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2004)
- 100 greatest Bears of All-Time
- Unanimous All-American (2003)
- Consensus All-American (2002)
- 3× First-team All-Big 12 (2001–2003)
- Lombardi Award (2003)
- Bill Willis Trophy (2003)
- Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2001)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 231
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 31.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 6
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 7
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 1
| pfr = HarrTo99
}}
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
Harris was born in Nuremberg, Germany, where his father, Tommie Sr, was stationed as a United States Army drill sergeant.{{cite news |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-uso-tour-harris-military-background-beneficial-09000d5d8071ae2e |title=NFL-USO Tour: Harris' military background beneficial |work=NFL |date=March 10, 2018 |access-date=November 25, 2024 }} Harris and his family relocated often due to Tommie Sr's role in the Army before finally settling in Killeen, Texas. Harris' father became a Pentecostal minister, while his mother, Janine, worked as a special education teacher. Harris was raised in a devout Christian household alongside his four sisters.{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/09/13/tommie-harris-4/ |last=Harris |first=Tommie |title=Tommie Harris |work=Chicago Tribune |date=September 13, 2006 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }}{{cite news |last=Tiansay |first=Eric |url=https://dev.mycharisma.com/charisma-archive/chicago-bears-rookie-seeks-to-represent-christ-in-nfl/ |title=Chicago Bears Rookie Seeks to Represent Christ in NFL |work=Charisma |date=October 31, 2004 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }}
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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/recruiting/s/2000lemmingtop100.html |title=Tom Lemming's Top 100 for 2001 |access-date=October 20, 2007 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033529/http://espn.go.com/recruiting/s/2000lemmingtop100.html |url-status=live }} 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
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 2003.2011 NCAA Football Records Book, [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf Award Winners] {{Webarchive|url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120516105427/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf |date=May 16, 2012 }}, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 23, 2012. 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
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 1/2
| weight = 295
| dash = 4.78
| ten split =
| twenty split =
| shuttle = 4.31
| cone drill =
| vertical = 31
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 1
| bench = 29
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32
| hand span = 9 1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=778&DraftYear=2004 |title=Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, DT, 2004 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102044901/http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=778&DraftYear=2004 |url-status=live }}
}}
=Chicago Bears=
The Chicago Bears selected Harris in the first round, 14th overall, in the 2004 NFL draft.{{cite news |last=Larkin |first=Will |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/06/29/ranking-the-100-best-bears-players-ever-no-69-tommie-harris/ |title=Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 69, Tommie Harris |work=Chicago Tribune |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }} Harris, a 3-technique defensive tackle, complimented Lovie Smith's Cover 2 defense, which relied on mobile lineman to penetrate the line of scrimmage.{{cite news |last=Trowbridge |first=Matt |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/2009/08/28/bears-have-lean-mean-defensive/42468959007/ |title=Bears have lean, mean defensive tackle |work=Journal Star (Peoria) |date=August 28, 2009 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }} Smith compared Harris to Warren Sapp, whom he coached during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{cite news |last=Haugh |first=David |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/04/25/harris-ideal-pick-for-bears/ |title=Harris ideal pick for Bears |work=Chicago Tribune |date=April 25, 2004 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.claremoreprogress.com/sports/ex-sooner-dt-harris-loses-wife-to-brain-aneurysm-or-stroke/article_5dd0fbf3-93f4-5341-a87f-2f6748e58aaf.html |title=Ex-Sooner DT Harris loses wife to brain aneurysm or stroke |work=Claremore Daily Progress |date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }}
In {{NFL Year|2005}}, Harris was selected for the 2006 Pro Bowl.
Harris enjoyed an excellent start to the {{NFL Year|2006}} season, leading the league with five sacks after four games. 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. Harris suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the Bears' Week 13 victory against the Vikings. Harris was selected to play in the 2007 Pro Bowl.
Harris missed the first three games of the {{NFL Year|2007}} preseason while recovering from his hamstring injury.{{cite news |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/off-field-distractions-qb-questions-wear-down-bears-browns-09000d5d801ee3d2 |title=Off-field distractions, QB questions wear down Bears, Browns |work=NFL |publisher=Associated Press |date=August 29, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2024 }} He played in the Bears' season opener against the San Diego Chargers and forced a fumble.{{cite news | first=Bernie | last=Wilson | title=San Diego 14, Chicago 3 | date=September 9, 2007 | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=AgKJgZsiQWmJU4x56I.2l3VDubYF?gid=20070909024 | work=Yahoo! Sports | access-date=September 10, 2007 | archive-date=November 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115204426/https://www.yahoo.com/?err=404&err_url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=AgKJgZsiQWmJU4x56I.2l3VDubYF?gid=20070909024 | url-status=live }} He appeared in all 16 games for the Bears, finishing the 2007 campaign with two forced fumbles and a career high eight sacks.{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5539/tommie-harris |title=Espn.com |access-date=December 10, 2010 |archive-date=October 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012041615/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=5539 |url-status=live }} Harris was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, but did not attend due a knee injury.{{cite news |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cards-dt-dockett-replaces-harris-on-pro-bowl-roster-09000d5d80637df7 |title=Cards DT Dockett replaces Harris on Pro Bowl roster |work=NFL |date=January 24, 2008 |access-date=November 25, 2024 }}
File:Bears-def-huddle-2008.jpg, 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 would award 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 guaranteed.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=210256 |title=Daily Herald {{!}} Bears reward Harris with $40M extension |access-date=June 20, 2008 |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609014639/http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=210256 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Michael |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3622924 |title=Bears' Harris suspended for Sunday's game vs. Lions |work=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |date=October 7, 2008 |access-date=November 25, 2024 }} Harris appeared in 14 games for the Bears, tallying 37 tackles and 4 sacks.
File:Tommie Harris at Manas AB 080304-F-0232K-015.JPG]]
Harris' role with the Bears decreased after he re-injured his knee during week 6 of the {{NFL Year|2009}} season.{{cite news | first=Vaughn | last=McClure | title=Tommie Harris 'doubtful' for Bengals game | date=October 23, 2009 | newspaper=Chicago Tribune | url=http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/10/tommie-harris-likely-out-of-bengals-game.html | access-date=October 24, 2009 | archive-date=July 18, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718153350/http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/10/tommie-harris-likely-out-of-bengals-game.html | url-status=live }} Harris never fully recovered from the injury.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=6178484 |title=Tommie Harris believes he can still play |work=ESPN |date=March 3, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2024 }} 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.[http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/11/tommie_harris-deuce_lutui_tuss.html Chicago Sun-Times | Tommie Harris-Deuce Lutui tussle began on play before ejection] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214235001/http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/11/tommie_harris-deuce_lutui_tuss.html |date=December 14, 2009 }} Retrieved December 10, 2010.
In {{NFL year|2010}}, Harris was benched after the second week of the season.{{cite news | first = Sean | last = Jensen | title = Bears deactivate Tommie Harris, bench Zack Bowman | date = September 28, 2010 | url = http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2010/09/bears_deactivate_tommie_harris_bench_zack_bowman.html | work = Chicago Sun-Times | access-date = January 5, 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101001115434/http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2010/09/bears_deactivate_tommie_harris_bench_zack_bowman.html | archive-date = October 1, 2010 }} 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." The same week, former defensive tackle Warren Sapp criticized Harris, comparing him to "blind dog in a meat house.{{cite news | title = Tommie Harris can't even find the meat house now | date = 2010-09-28 | url = http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/28/tommie-harris-cant-even-find-the-meat-house-now/ | work = NBC Sports | access-date = 2011-01-05 | archive-date = January 20, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110120040838/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/28/tommie-harris-cant-even-find-the-meat-house-now | url-status = live }}" 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.
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.{{cite news | first = Neil | last = Hayes | title = End of line for Bears' Tommie Harris | date = March 1, 2011 | url = http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/4064565-419/end-of-line-for-bears-tommie-harris.html | work = Chicago Sun-Times | access-date = March 13, 2011 | archive-date = March 4, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110304203513/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/4064565-419/end-of-line-for-bears-tommie-harris.html | url-status = live }}
=Indianapolis Colts=
On August 2, 2011, Harris signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts, but was released on September 3.
=San Diego Chargers=
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.{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/chargers-sign-harris-place-sanders-on-injured-reserve |title=Chargers sign Harris, place Sanders on injured reserve |work=Fox News |date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }} He appeared in 13 games for the Chargers where he recorded 12 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
=Retirement=
Tommie Harris retired from football in 2012 to raise his children following his wife's unexpected death.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/tommie-harris-bears-wife-death/ |title=My Greatest Loss | by Tommie Harris |date=February 17, 2017 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072103/https://www.theplayerstribune.com/tommie-harris-bears-wife-death/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=Larry |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/harris-inspired-by-memory-of-his-wife-18568267 |title=Harris inspired by memory of his wife |work=chicagobears.com |date=February 16, 2017 |access-date=November 25, 2024 }}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="3"| Fumbles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|Cmb|Combined tackles}} | {{abbr|Solo|Solo tackles}} | {{abbr|Ast|Assisted tackles}} | {{abbr|Sck|Sacks}} | {{abbr|FF|Forced fumbles}} | {{abbr|FR|Fumble recoveries}} | {{abbr|Yds|Fumble return yards}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Interception return yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Average interception return}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest interception return}} | {{abbr|TD|Interceptions returned for touchdown}} | {{abbr|PD|Passes defensed}} |
| 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 | |||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career{{cite web|title=Tommie Harris Stats|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5539/tommie-harris|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=March 26, 2014|archive-date=February 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224183551/http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5539/tommie-harris|url-status=live}} || 117 || 226 || 182 || 44 || 31.5 || 5 || 7 || 0 || 1 || 6 || 6.0 || 6 || 0 || 5 |
Post-retirement
Harris was the co-owner of the Texas Outlaws of the Fall Experimental Football League along with fellow NFL alum Eric Bassey.{{cite news |last=Garrett |first=Jaime |url=https://mykiss1031.com/former-killeen-ellison-football-player-and-nfl-star-tommie-harris-shares-words-of-wisdom-on-christian-tv-show/ |title=Tommie Harris With Inspirational Message |work=KSSM |date=March 24, 2015 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }} 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.{{cite news |last=Mohl |first=EvanKilleen Daily Herald |url=https://kdhnews.com/news/tommie-harris-lends-name-to-fitness-center/article_93de1594-7cde-5560-b47e-ecd1d2686f2c.html |title=Tommie Harris lends name to fitness center |work=Killeen Daily Herald |date=May 11, 2008 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }}
Personal
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.
Harris married his wife, Ashley, in January 2012 and the couple had two children together. In February 2012, Ashley suddenly died of a brain aneurysm while undergoing a routine medical procedure.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8632 |title=Tommie Harris' wife Ashley passes away |access-date=February 13, 2012 |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217083757/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8632 |url-status=live }} In 2016, Harris' daughter died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.{{cite news |last=Carlson |first=Jenni |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/10/21/tommie-harris-ou-football-chicago-bears-legend-authors-book-on-tragedy-healing/8509244002/ |title='I actually endured': How OU football legend Tommie Harris overcame his greatest obstacles |work=The Oklahoman |date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }} 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.{{cite news |last=Clay |first=Nolan |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/columns/2018/01/12/tommie-harris-former-agent-ordered-to-prison/60549981007/ |title=Tommie Harris' former agent ordered to prison |work=The Oklahoman |date=January 12, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }} Horn was sentenced to 15 months in prison. In 2020, Harris' father, Tommie Sr., died following a one-year struggle with kidney failure. Harris published a book about coping with his personal struggles, titled Endure: Playing Through Life's Hardest Hits in 2021.
=Legal troubles=
Harris was arrested in Chicago and charged with indecent exposure, urinating in public and simple assault for threatening a police officer in 2012.{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Gregg |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/tommie-harris-charged-with-urinating-in-public-0ap1000000068591 |title=Tommie Harris charged with urinating in public |work=NFL |date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }}{{cite news |url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/8832486/ |title=Tommie Harris, ex-Bears DT, arrested in Wrigleyville |work=ABC7 Chicago |date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }} He was arrested for trespassing in 2022 after refusing to leave the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City.{{cite news |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/tommie-harris-arrest-oklahoma-city-omni-hotel-sooners-trespassing-alcohol-bar-tab-security-chicago-bears-nfl-draft-all-american-pro-bowl-hotel-arrested-marijuana |title=Former Oklahoma Sooners great Tommie Harris arrested in Oklahoma City |work=KOKH-TV |date=September 28, 2022 |access-date=November 24, 2024 }}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- {{Official website|http://www.tommieharris.com}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120102120248/http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/tommie-harris/d6f313ee-13ee-40dd-b412-c9ce4f2c85e1 San Diego Chargers bio]
{{Navboxes
| title = Tommie Harris – championships, awards and honors
| list1 =
{{Lombardi Award}}
{{2002 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2003 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2004 NFL Draft}}
{{BearsFirstPick}}
{{Bears2004DraftPicks}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Tommie}}
Category:All-American college football players
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:Oklahoma Sooners football players
Category:Players of American football from Killeen, Texas
Category:San Diego Chargers players
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen