Bears' Akiem Hicks relieved to avoid suspension

Defensive end Akiem Hicks takes pride in being a leader for the Chicago Bears defense.

So an ejection against Tampa Bay on Sept. 30 for making contact with an NFL official during an altercation caused Hicks to reflect, and avoiding suspension left him feeling fortunate.

Hicks was fined $33,425, and will be available to play Sunday vs. Miami.

"This was the first time I've been ejected from a game in my entire life, so for me it was very humbling," Hicks said. "The next time I'm in that situation it will give me a chance to react better.

"It's also a lesson to the guys on the team that you don't put your personal situation above the team's situation."

Hicks pushed down judge Mike Carr. The official was trying to break up a dispute between Buccaneers guard Ali Marpet and Hicks after Chicago safety Eddie Jackson intercepted a pass.

Following the ejection, Hicks went to the sideline and threw his jersey and shoulder pads into the stands and went to an empty locker room.

"So it was definitely a relief to not be suspended."

Pittsburgh star receiver Antonio Brown is planning to fight a pair of lawsuits filed against him stemming from an incident at a Florida apartment complex last spring.

Ophir Sternberg is seeking damages against Brown, claiming that objects thrown by Brown from the 14th floor of an apartment building came close to striking Sternberg's father and Sternberg's 22-month-old son in April.