Tommie Harris, a singer and former Bears standout defensive tackle, has a music video out for the song "Deflated." Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

Tommie Harris' music video inspired from family's tragic tale

Originally posted on Chicago Bears on SI
By Gene Chamberlain | Last updated Jan 25, 2025 1:23 PM ET

Tight end Zach Miller isn't the only former Bears player to delve into singing after his career.

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris has a song and music video with a deeply personal theme that is now gaining in popularity. The song is "Deflated."

It's a song based on his own tragic loss, the death of his 29-year-old wife, Ashley, to a brain aneurysm in 2012 near the end of his NFL career.

At the time, Harris had a 3-year-old son and 4-month-old daughter. Ashley had stopped breathing while undergoing a routine surgery.

Harris has a background as a gospel singer and in his playing days with the Bears would frequently break out into song in the locker room.

We've got the first look Tommie Harris' new video for his song "Deflated" coming up today in the 5pm EST hour!

A former NFL player, Tommie draws inspiration from legendary artists such as Sam Cooke and Chris Stapleton, whose influences can be heard in his music. pic.twitter.com/RMYG0xQqk1
— The Country Network Official (@tcn_country) January 24, 2025

Harris penned a touching story for The Players Tribune about his loss, which occurred 41 days after the two had been married.

A book on his life was also written and was released in 2022, titled "Endure: Playing Through Life's Hardest Hits–An NFL Player's Story."

In an interview with The Oklahoman about his book, Harris talked about his loss and his song's roots are apparent: “I felt deflated, helpless,” he said.

Tommy Harris is the biggest what if of the century
— Title (@Title_BU) January 17, 2025

Harris was the key, dominant interior defensive lineman at the start of the Lovie Smith coaching era for the Bears as the 3-technique, but suffered a season-ending hamstring tear while the Bears were making their run to the Super Bowl in 2006. He missed out on the late season and postseason run.

When they made it to the NFC championship game in 2010, Harris was no longer a starter and his career ended after a 2011 season in San Diego.

Named among the 100 greatest Bears in the 2019 countdown for the team's first 100 years, Harris has made it his goal after football to make a difference in the lives of people in need.

One of his endeavors was working with the Redemption Songs program, which partners song writers with inmates to help them express themselves.

A Pro Bowl player three straight seasons and two-time All-Pro, Harris finished his playing career with 31 1/2 sacks and 56 tackles for loss.