Brian Urlacher appreciation post
Brian Urlacher played his entire 13-year career with the Chicago Bears. The versatile linebacker was selected by the team out of New Mexico in the first round, ninth player overall, of the 2000 NFL Draft.
Urlacher was named the AP's Defensive Rookie of the Year after he logged a career-high eight sacks and led the team in tackles. In 2005, he received Defensive Player of the Year honors (AP) becoming just the second Bears player to receive the award � the only other being Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary (1985, 1988). Urlacher was just the fifth player in NFL history to win both Defensive Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors.
One of the greatest defensive players in Bears history, Urlacher became the first player in franchise history to have a 90-plus yard fumble return for a touchdown (90 yards against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 7, 2001) and an 80-plus yard interception returned for a score (85 yards against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 23, 2007). He led the team in sacks in 2000, interceptions in 2007, and in tackles eight of his 13 seasons in the league.
Urlacher made one Super Bowl appearance starting as the middle linebacker in Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears were defeated 29-17 by the Colts, but Urlacher finished the game with seven tackles, four assists and a pass defended.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Urlacher received first-team All-Pro honors five times and was named to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
In his 182 career games, Urlacher had 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions for 324 yards and two touchdowns as well as 90 passes defended, 12 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries. Additionally, he made 1,358 tackles, including 44 games with 10 or more tackles. -Hall of Fame
Here is his ultimate career highlight tape:
