Safety Chris Harris expressed his gratitude to the Chicago Bears fans as he was released last Thursday.

Harris told a local newspaper that he did not ask for the release. He said that he wanted to remain with the team for the rest of the season.

However, he formally made the announcement in his Twitter page: “This business known as the NFL is a strange one. Chicago I want to thank u for all the luv u have shown me over the yrs. u will b missed.”

The Bears drafted Harris in 2005 from the University of Louisiana. He was dealt to the Panthers in 2008, and came back to Chicago in 2010.

According to reports, Chicago is thinking of signing Tom Nelson to fill out their roster.