Bears defensive end avoids 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 for the Bears (3-1) against the Miami Dolphins (3-2).

"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 attempting to break up a dispute between Bucs guard Ali Marpet and Hicks after Bears 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.

War of words between players

Jalen Ramsey says New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore's criticism is "lame, corny," adding "but it's him, though."

In a radio interview Wednesday, Gilmore took a shot at the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back by saying "a lot of people can talk, but you've got to back it up, which he does. Sometimes."

Speaking to "The Sports Hub" radio show in Boston, Gilmore added: "That's not my style, but I find a lot of guys that talk are mostly zone guys so they have a lot of energy to do that."

Ramsey fired back Thursday, saying "we know that's furthest from the truth."

"I'm going to continue to do what this team asks me to do," Ramsey said. "Man or zone. Maybe he should try it. I was All-Pro."

Steelers' Brown facing lawsuits

Pittsburgh Steelers wide 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-monthold son in April. The lawsuit claims Sternberg's son was "extremely traumatized" by the event.

A second lawsuit filed by the owner of the apartment building is seeking more than $15,000 in damages from Brown.

Brown told police that the incidents occurred after a gun and $80,000 were stolen from the apartment. Brown said in a statement on Thursday the lawsuits contained "false claims" against him.