Harris adds to Bears worries

Harris: Ejected

I knew right away Tommie was sorry for his actions, but still, the actions stood. He didn't play a football game. He didn't help the Chicago Bears play, and we just have to get past that.

Lovie Smith
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Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris says he was embarrassed to be ejected from Sunday's defeat against Arizona for throwing a punch at Cardinals lineman Deuce Lutui.

On just the fourth play of the game at Soldier Field on Sunday, Harris was thrown out of the game after throwing a punch at Lutui following a running play.

Both men ended up on the ground and a replay caught Harris striking Lutui near his face, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and Harris being removed from the game.

The struggling Bears may now lose Harris to an NFL suspension ahead of Thursday's game in San Francisco, which is live on Sky Sports, and on a short week it is the last thing they need.

Harris says he has apologised to Lutui, his team-mates and Bears fans for his actions.

Embarrassment

"I was embarrassed, especially for my actions," Harris said. "I apologised to him yesterday, called Larry (Fitzgerald) and had a chance to apologise to him.

"I just wanted to apologise to my fans first off, and the little kids out there that saw that action. I shouldn't have behaved in that manner, and I apologised to my team-mates, and I'll make up for it.

"He did some unnecessary stuff during the game, but I mean I still have to be able to control myself. In the six years I've been here I've never done anything like that, and he kind of pushed me to my limits and I apologise for all that."

After their heavy defeat against Arizona, the Bears are now 4-4 heading to Candlestick Park to face the 49ers on Thursday, and coach Lovie Smith would not defend Harris' actions.

"No excuse," Smith said. "Whenever you do something to get kicked out of a football game, a tough game like that where you need everyone, it's never a good thing. Tommie realizes he screwed up.

Potential

"I knew right away Tommie was sorry for his actions, but still, the actions stood. He didn't play a football game. He didn't help the Chicago Bears play, and we just have to get past that."

Three-time Pro Bowler Harris has struggled in recent times to find his best form - he was suspended by the Bears last year for a game and was benched for the October defeat in Cincinnati for not trying hard enough in practice.

"Tommie's a great player," linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer added. "When Tommie's at his best, he's one of the best players in the NFL. With that potential comes a responsibility for this team. When he's not out there, that hurts us."

Harris' troubles now add to Chicago's defensive worries heading to San Francisco, with cornerback Charles Tillman and safeties Al Afalava and Kevin Payne all struggling with injuries.