Former Bears star retires after 13 seasons
Before Brian Urlacher starred in the NFL for 13 seasons as the Chicago Bears' middle linebacker, he was a high school wide receiver and college safety. It should be no surprise then that the trademark of his Hall of Fame career was how he helped take his pro position to a high level against the pass.
Urlacher's decision to fade into the sunset on Wednesday means he will be enshrined on the same summer day in 2018 as another dominant turn-of-the-century linebackerRay Lewis.
In many ways, Urlacher and Lewis were old-school players. They were relentless, intense, hard-tackling team leaders who played for only one team. They both channeled the man who most still consider to be the best middle linebacker of all timeBears great Dick Butkus. While Urlacher had a direct tie to his franchise lineage, Lewis lived up to that legacy with own brand of intimidation.
But make no mistake, Urlacher and Lewis also were built to thrive in the modern pass-happy era, where making a seamless transition from the upfield pass rush to downfield coverage is just as critical as laying the wood against the run.
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