Class of 2018 Finalist Spotlight: Brian Urlacher

Chicago Bears legend Brian Urlacher was recently named a finalist for the Class of 2018. If elected, he would be the 27th linebacker Enshrined. He would also continue the long success of the Bears franchise as they have 27 Hall of Famers Enshrined, the most of any franchise.

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 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 defensed.

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 defensed, 12 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries. Additionally, he made 1,358 tackles, including 44 games with 10 or more tackles.

Off the field, Urlacher has endorsed different products and starred in commercials for companies such as Old Spice and Nike. After retirement, he joined Fox Sports 1 as an analyst. He also participated in the Chairman’s Holiday Tour that provided entertainment to US Troops in five countries around the world. 

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