The NFL isn't exactly known for its progressive acceptance of homosexuality; there are no current players and strikingly few former players who have come out. But it looks like former San Francisco 49er offensive tackle Kwame Harris can now count himself among the league's minority. The former first-round draft pick was seemingly involuntarily "outed" recently as the result of legal issues arising from a fight with his ex-boyfriend.
According to the San Mateo Daily Journal, a dispute between Harris and his ex-boyfriend over soy sauce at Su Hong restaurant in Menlo Park, Calif. last Aug. 21 ended in assault, landing the former player in court. Chief deputy district attorney Karen Guidotti told the paper that Harris and the alleged victim had previously been engaged in a romantic relationship, but weren't together at the time of the fight. Harris' lawyer Alin Cintean confirmed to the paper the two men "were previously involved" but were merely friends when the incident occurred.
Harris has since pleaded not guilty to felony charges of domestic violence causing great bodily injury and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, the Daily Journal said.
The argument reportedly began when Harris became upset with his friend, Dimitri Geier, for pouring soy sauce on a plate of rice.
According to the Daily Journal, which was citing a suit filed in San Mateo County Superior Court, the pair quarreled for about seven minutes after Geier poured the soy sauce, and Harris told the man he would no longer be taking him to the airport as he said he would earlier. When the men went to Harris' car to retrieve Geier's belongings, Harris accused Geier of stealing his underwear and tried to pull his pants down.
As Geier tried in vein to get away, Harris shook him, punching his arms, the Daily Journal reported. Harris is 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds and Geier is 6-1, 220 pounds, according to Yahoo Sports. Geier then allegedly struck Harris in the face three times, and Harris returned the blows, punching Geier several times in the face.
Geier was so badly beaten that he was transported to an emergency room where he had surgery to repair broken orbital bones, requiring a metal plate to fix the damage, the Daily Journal said. Geier filed a civil suit against Harris for assault, battery, false imprisonment, negligence and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, said the Daily Journal. Harris could also face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
After playing for Stanford, Harris was a first-round draft pick for the 49ers in 2003. He played in the NFL for six seasons, retiring after his lone season playing for the Oakland Raiders in 2008.
Harris lawyer claims his client acted in self-defense, and that Geier is just seeking money.
"We're looking forward to having this proven in court and clearing his name," Cintean said.