Mike Hartenstine, released Monday, stopped by the Bears` locker room Wednesday to say goodbye to teammates. But he didn`t feel much like talking.
”The thing I hated about running out the way I did was I might have had a chance to thank the fans for all the great support they showed me over the years,” Hartenstine said.
”When it`s over, it`s over. I felt like I had a good career. I played every game you could play in.”
Hartenstine played in a club-record 179 consecutive games at defensive end. He lost his job because of age (34) more than diminished performance, Ditka said, adding that there`s a chance the 12-year veteran could return if somebody gets hurt.
”I feel I can still play,” Hartenstine said. ”I`d love to come back and help if they needed me, but I hate to jinx anybody here.”