Tommie Harris

Tommie Harris is a former American football star who played as defensive tackle in a glittering college and NFL career that saw him twice named a Consensus All-American, play in three Pro Bowl Games and become recognised as one of the 100 Greatest Chicago Bears Player of All-Time. He retired in 2012 after the tragic death of his wife and then suffered the unimaginable pain of losing his infant daughter. He has written about his experiences in his moving and ultimately inspiring autobiography, Endure. Today, he works in his local community in Austin, Texas, championing non-profit organisations and charity initiatives and helping to empower young people and fellow men to overcome the odds.

Harris was born in Germany but grew up in Texas. His high school team, the Elison Eagles became state champions while Harris was there and he quickly gained attention as one of the best defensive prospects in the country. He attended the University of Oklahoma, playing for their team, the Sooners, and won a raft of awards, including the Lombardi Award for Best Linesman in the United States and three consecutive All-Big-12 First Team honours. Unsurprisingly, he was picked in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, with the Chicago Bears winning his signature. He played for seven seasons, starring in over 100 games, and winning a plethora of honours.

While Harris playing for the San Diego Chargers in 2012, his wife died suddenly. Shattered, Harris decided to retire and focus on raising his two young children. Further tragedy followed in 2016 when his four-month-old daughter died of Infant Sudden Death Syndrome. Harris was once again broken, but he endured, something his 2021 autobiography conveys so poignantly.