Many saw it coming, but Brian Urlacher’s decision to retire Wednesday still surprised and even saddened many football fans across the country. Although many believed that Urlacher could rehabilitate the hamstring injury that ended his 2012 season and continue to play at a championship-level, Urlacher chose to do something that other NFL players should probably take note of, he chose to walk away under his own two feet. His legacy is untouchable:
- 13 seasons in the NFL
- 8 Pro Bowl selections
- Five All Pro selections
- Brian Piccolo Award winner
- Ed Block Courage Award winner
- AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Bears single-season tackles record (153)
- Bears career tackles record (1,779)
- Bears sacks record by a linebacker
- 2nd most interceptions by a linebacker in franchise history
What goes beyond the statistics is how Brian Urlacher captained Chicago’s defense for over a decade, how he stayed loyal to a team over the entirety of his career (something that few in this game can say), how he fought through a list of injuries too high to quantify, how he was well reputed by nearly every player and coach that he played alongside/for, how he put life into a team that was on the decline in the years before his arrival, and how he galvanized a city into believing in its football team again.
“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 I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear,” Urlacher said in a statement posted on Twitter. With so many retired professional football players reaping the horrific after-effects of the most punishing major professional sport in the world, it seems poetic that one of the hardest hitting players in its history knew when enough was enough.
Although the Chicago Bears have the most retired numbers in the NFL and are only two behind the New York Yankees among all professional sports, it would be dissonant to not add #54 to the list in Soldier Field.
Now is not the time to assess whether Urlacher would’ve returned had Lovie Smith, a man whom Urlacher relished playing for, not been terminated at the end of last season. Now is not the time to hypothesize when Urlacher will inevitably become immortalized in Canton. Now is the time to reflect on an incredible career and a man who truly played with his heart every Sunday. Now is the time to remember how #54 put fear into the eyes of every opposing player in the NFC North division over a 13-year career, and simultaneously put courage into the hearts of his teammates. Perhaps it’s best to let Urlacher have the final words, “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.”
You must log in to post a comment.