Each day in the month of June, we’ll roll out a fresh topic to get Chicago Bears fans thinking. Be sure to chime in with your answer in the comments so we can all get to know our WCG members a bit better.
Who is your favorite Bears LB of all time?
I remember where I was when Brian Urlacher was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 9th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Like many, I had some reservations about a New Mexico safety making the switch to LB for the Bears, but it didn’t take long for the 6’4”, 258lb athlete to ease any and all concerns.
Being a first round LB for such a storied franchise with the epic array of all-time greats at the position is no easy position to be in. Studs like Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, Bill George, Wilbur Marshall, Clyde “Bulldog” Turner, Doug Buffone, Otis Wilson, etc. all set the bar remarkably high.
But Urlacher somehow raised the bar.
Not only did he earn Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first pro season, he also made the Pro Bowl in six of his first seven seasons (including his rookie year) and All-Pro in four of those seasons. Urlacher currently sits at #7 all time in franchise history for sacks (41.5) despite being the only non defensive lineman in the top ten. He is just outside the top ten in franchise history for interceptions in a career with 22. As a LINEBACKER. Those numbers reflect the type of game-changing ability he had for Chicago’s defense from 2000-2012 and are a large reason why he is now in the Hall of Fame.
With the size of a defensive end, hands of a defensive back, look of a pro wrestler and name of a hockey enforcer, Urlacher quickly endeared himself to both Bears fans and football fans world-wide. He revolutionized the Tampa-2 defense while making his case for best LB in franchise history. Urlacher is not only my favorite LB of all time, but quite possibly my favorite Bears player of all time. From one Bryan to another. Cheers big guy. And Bear Down.
