“I want to thank all of the people in my life that have helped me along the way. I will miss my teammates, my coaches and the great Bears fans. I’m proud to say that I gave all of you everything I had every time I took the field. I will miss this great game, but I leave it with no regret.”
Brian Urlacher

Following a stellar thirteen year career in the NFL, Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher retired on May 22, 2013. An icon for the Bears organization, Urlacher was known for his fierce mental toughness, and well as his understated football confidence and humility.

Growing up in Lovington, New Mexico Urlacher excelled in football, basketball, and track earning a football scholarship to the University of New Mexico. Following a superb senior season culminating with a Heisman nomination and All-American status, the Chicago Bears chose Brian Urlacher as their first round pick in the 2000 draft. He played every single down of his NFL career as #54 for the Bears.

Brian Urlacher will forever be known for both his physical and mental toughness. Out of 182 games in his professional career, he started in 180, much the result of maintaining a rigorous offseason workout regimen and also devotion to his mental preparation for any game. Urlacher suffered through several injuries that required rehab, but always returned sooner than expected with a surge of fierceness.

Former Bears Coach Dick Jauren said this of Urlacher’s talent, “Brian was born with certain physical tools, which you certainly can’t teach, but his attitude is really what makes him special.” He provided leadership and inspiration to his teammates, using his instinctive football mind to develop the skills of younger players along the way.

Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije explained his feelings after playing nine seasons with Urlacher, “It’s bittersweet, but you’re proud of the time you were able to play with such a great guy, such a man of character. I remember the year I got to Chicago. I was 21 years old. I didn’t know my up from down. And you look at a guy like Brian Urlacher, the time I spent with him from those young years, I was able to learn how you conduct yourself as a professional.“

The void left by Urlacher’s absence in the midfield will be significant for the Bears to replace. His mental game of football provided many a quarterback to lose focus, and opposing offenses altered their game plan when facing him. “You need to know where Brian is…everything you hear about him is absolutely true,” said quarterback Peyton Manning. Infiltrating the mind an opponent so their focus is on your play rather than their game plan is the ultimate goal for any mentally tough linebacker.

After thirteen seasons Brian Urlacher decided to retire while he was still playing tough, without suffering more injuries and the eventual decline in his game. Former Bears general manager Jerry Angelo stated Urlacher won’t be forgotten. “He did the right thing for himself and his fans,” Angelo said. “A Hall of Fame player and teammate. He not only made the Bears better, he made football better. Not many can say that. He’ll be missed, but never forgotten.” While the future no doubt holds many great opportunities for Brian Urlacher, he will definitely be missed in the NFL.