Former Chicago Bears standout Middle Linebacker Brian Urlacher has announced his retirement this morning.
Urlacher posted the following on his twitter account.
“After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made a decision to retire. Although I could continue playing, I’m not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that’s up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear. 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 regrets.”
Urlacher was released by Chicago, the only team he ever played for in a March cost cutting move. He had various interviews and visits with other NFL teams, but did not reach an agreement with any of them.
Urlacher was an 8 time Pro-bowler, a 5 time All-Pro, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, and the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2000. He was also part of the NFL all-decade team for the 2000s. Urlacher didn’t win a Superbowl, but he was a defensive leader on the Bears team that won the NFC Championship in 2007 (for the 2006 season), but lost in Superbowl XLI to the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears originally selected Urlacher with the 9th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Urlacher joins a group of distinguished Bears Linebackers such as Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, Bill George, George Connor, Clyde “Bulldog” Turner, Joe Fortunato, Doug Buffone, Wilber Marshall, Otis Wilson and Lance Briggs. The tradition of having a strong linebacking corps was one that Urlacher inherited and now hopes to pass down to future Bears.
Urlacher finishes with 182 games played, 1353 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 Interceptions, 12 Forced Fumbles, 16 Fumble Recoveries and 5 TDs in his stellar career.
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