Former 49ers and Raiders tackle Kwame Harris has been charged with felony domestic violence and assault after an incident involving a former boyfriend, lawyers said at a pretrial hearing Monday.

The altercation took place in in August 2012, when Harris was at dinner with his then boyfriend, Dimitri Geier at Su Hong restaurant in Menlo Park, Calif.

An argument, during which Harris accused Geier of stealing his underwear lead to Geier suffer injuries that required the surgical placement of a metal plate in his head.  

"Basically, they're having dinner together and they get into a verbal dispute and it gets violent from there," said San Mateo County prosecutor, Al Serrato.

"One of them had poured soy sauce onto the rice and the verbal dispute had escalated."

Serrato detailed that the 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds pinned the 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds Geier against a plate-glass window and hit him several times in the face and head.

The two apparently had an on-again, off-again relationship, according to Geier's attorney, Craig Charles. Geier was visiting Harry in Los Angeles when the incident occurred.

Harris claims that he was acting in self-defense. Upon being arrested he pleaded not guilty and posted $75,000 bail, according to defense lawyer Alin Cintean.

Geier also filed a civil suit against Harris in October unspecified amount; thus far, Harris has denied the stipulations of the suit, according to the San Francisco Gate.

The Huffington Post notes that Harris has admits that he and Geier were formally in a relationship.

According to the news source, he is among many former NFL players that have come out as gay; however, none have done so while still playing professionally.

Cintean stated that while Harris identifies as gay, he prefers to keep that aspect of his life private.

Harris notably played five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and one season with the Oakland Raiders as an offensive tackle for both teams.

A San Mateo County judge set Harris’ trial date for late April.

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