Brian Urlacher Retires

Brian Urlacher has spent the past 13 years wearing the colors of the Chicago Bears, and after today he will hang up the jersey and put away his cleats.
After he suffered a knee injury in 2012 his foot speed was decreased drastically, and not being able to come to terms with the new contract put forth by the bears, and struggling in the free agency retirement became his path.
Although his career has ended, he is still known as one of the greats. Urlacher was an 8 time Pro Bowl selection. In his rookie year he racked up 8 sacks to give him Rookie of the Year in 2000. In 2008 he won the AP Defensive Player of the year, and made 4 All Pro teams.

Also retiring this year is Ray Lewis, who was a defining player and one of the greats in the AFC. It will be a different season for both the Ravens and the Bears without these two defining players on their defense.

My Thoughts:
Urlacher was a phenomenal player, and i’m sure that he could have played at least one more season… but it wouldn’t have been for the bears. To spend 13 years under one team, they become like a family. It’s better to retire with no regrets under the team that has formed you in to the player that you are and the fan base that has stood behind you for years, rather than go to a different team for just one year and then retire. I’m not a bears fan, but Urlacher was the leader of their defense. Briggs was learning from him every game and every practice, so i’m sure we will still see some urlachers traits on the field this season, and seasons to come.