Brian Urlacher Brian Urlacher ( ; born May 25 , 1978 ) is a former American football linebacker who spent his entire 13 - year career playing for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League ( NFL ) and is currently an analyst for Fox Sports 1 . He played college football for the University of New Mexico , where he was recognized as an All - American and became one of the school ' s most decorated athletes . The Bears selected Urlacher with the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft . Urlacher quickly established himself as one of the NFL ' s most productive defensive players . After winning the NFL Rookie of the Year Award in 2000 , he was elected to eight Pro Bowl s , and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2005 . His playing style , accomplishments and reputation have made him one of the team ' s most popular players . Early life . Urlacher was born to Bradley and Lavoyda Urlacher in Pasco , Washington , and his parents raised him with his younger brother Casey . After his parents separated , Lavoyda raised Urlacher and his siblings in Lovington , New Mexico . He spent his youth immersed in sports , and developed an interest in football , basketball , and later table tennis ; he graduated from Lovington High School in 1996 . While his mother worked several jobs to keep her family afloat , Urlacher spent his teenage years playing sports for Lovington High School and training in weight room s . The training helped Urlacher gain the speed , stamina , and strength he would need to solidify his football career . As he progressed through high school , Urlacher gained experience in all three phases of football . He saw playing time as a running back , wide receiver , return specialist , and defensive back . Urlacher led the Lovington High Wildcats to an undefeated 14 – 0 season , and a division 3 - A state championship . He finished the season with twelve touchdown receptions , six touchdown returns , and two rushing touchdowns . He additionally merited state - recognized honors in football , as well as basketball . Lovington has since recognized Urlacher ' s accomplishments by retiring his high - school jersey number , and naming a holiday after him . Urlacher wanted to attend Texas Tech University , but the school did not offer him an athletic scholarship . College career . Urlacher enrolled at the University of New Mexico , majored in criminology , and played for the New Mexico Lobos football team . The Lobos ' head coach , Dennis Franchione , converted Urlacher to linebacker , but often left him on the sidelines in favor of more experienced players . The team finished with winning records during Urlacher ' s first two years and even made a trip to the 1997 Insight . com Bowl . The team ' s success prompted Franchione to leave New Mexico in favor of Texas Christian University . His departure prompted the school to hire Rocky Long , a former coach at UCLA . Urlacher flourished under Long ' s tenure . Urlacher not only received more playing time , but also played a more versatile role on both offense and defense . Long converted Urlacher into a " Lobo - Back " , a cross between a linebacker and free safety , and placed him in a 3 - 3 - 5 defense scheme . He spent significant time training with the team ' s defensive coordinator , Bronco Mendenhall , who helped Urlacher refine his skills as a defensive back . Long also used Urlacher as a return specialist and wide receiver throughout his final two years with the Lobos . Despite Long ' s extensive changes to the team ' s roster , formations , and work ethic , the Lobos ' performance declined . However , Urlacher became one of the team ' s most productive players during this time . He finished his career with 442 tackle s , three interception s , 11 sack s and 11 forced fumble s . Outside of defense , he caught six touchdown passes , and returned five kicks for touchdowns . After the 1999 season , he was one of the finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award , and finished twelfth on the Heisman Trophy ballot . Urlacher received All - American honors from Walter Camp , Football Writers Association of America , and the Associated Press . He played his final collegiate game at the 2000 Senior Bowl , where he was one of the game ' s top players . Urlacher led the nation with 178 tackles during his junior year , and also set a school record for most tackles in a single season . He finished with the third most career tackles in the University of New Mexico ' s history . The school has honored Urlacher on several occasions . They awarded him with the Male Athlete of the Year Award in 2000 , and held a special halftime ceremony to honor his success in 2006 . Urlacher was also the first person to be inducted into the University of New Mexico ' s Football Wall of Fame . On November 9 , 2013 , during halftime of New Mexico ' s game against Air Force , the school retired Urlacher ' s No . 44 jersey . Professional career . NFL Draft . Urlacher was considered one of the most talented collegiate prospects in the 2000 NFL Draft , and impressed spectators and analysts at the NFL Scouting Combine by bench press ing 225 pounds twenty - seven times , and completing the forty - yard dash in 4 . 57 seconds . The Chicago Bears , who were in need of a defensive playmaker after having the 29th ranked defense in 1999 , selected Urlacher in the first round , as the draft ' s ninth overall pick . 2000 – 2004 . He signed a five - year contract , which was worth nearly eight million dollars with a five and a half million dollar signing bonus , within two months of the draft . Dick Jauron , who was then the Bears ' head coach , recognized Urlacher ' s versatility as a middle and outside linebacker , and appointed him as the team ' s starting strongside linebacker . However , Urlacher struggled to perform consistently in his first professional game , and lost his starting position to Rosevelt Colvin . Jauron left Urlacher on the sidelines during the following week , as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shut out the Bears , 41 – 0 . He managed to regain a starting spot on the Bears ' roster , after Barry Minter , the team ' s veteran middle linebacker , was forced to miss the Week 3 game on account of an injury . Urlacher excelled at the middle linebacker position , and recorded 46 tackle s , six sacks , and one interception in his next five starts . Not even a rib cage injury hindered his performance during this period , as Urlacher went on to win the league ' s Rookie Defensive Player of the Month in October . He led the Bears with 124 tackles and eight sacks , both of which surpassed the franchise ' s previous rookie records . Although the Bears finished with a disappointing 5 – 11 record , Urlacher received a number of individual accolades for his performance during the season . Many news organizations , such as the Associated Press and " The Sporting News " named him as the 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year . Football fans across the nation also voted Urlacher to play at the 2001 Pro Bowl as an alternate middle linebacker . Urlacher ' s successful rookie campaign served as the foundation for his professional career and reputation . Urlacher further distinguished himself as one of the Bears ' most productive playmakers during the 2001 season . He had one of the best games of his career on October 7 , against the Atlanta Falcons . Urlacher held Falcons quarterback Michael Vick , who was well known for his scrambling abilities , to 18 rushing yards , and recorded a forced fumble and sack . He also returned one of Vick ' s fumbles for a 90 - yard touchdown . Two weeks later , Urlacher helped set up a Bears comeback victory against the San Francisco 49ers by intercepting a pass , and later setting up a game winning touchdown return for Mike Brown , after causing 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens to lose control of a pass . He also caught a touchdown pass from punter Brad Maynard off a fake field goal attempt against the Washington Redskins in Week 14 , which clinched a first - round bye . Urlacher concluded the season with three interceptions , six sacks , and was a candidate for 2001 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award . " Football Digest " named Urlacher their publication ' s defensive player of the year . The 2001 Chicago Bears won 13 games , marking the team ' s best finish since 1986 , but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoffs . Unfortunately , the Bears ’ 2001 winning season would be followed by three years of mediocrity . Before the 2004 NFL season , the Bears ’ organization fired coach Dick Jauron and then hired Lovie Smith . After starting the season on the lower rungs of the NFC North , Urlacher suffered several injuries that sidelined him for a majority of the season . 2005 – 2011 . In 2005 , Urlacher won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after playing for a defensive team that allowed the fewest points per game , and created the most turnover s in the National Football Conference . Urlacher himself recorded at least 10 tackles in six consecutive games , while finishing the season with a team high 121 tackles . He was also credited as one of the team ' s leaders , whose audibles and experience helped develop several younger teammates . Urlacher led the Bears to an 11 - 5 record , marking their best finish since 2001 . Urlacher played his second career playoff game against the Carolina Panthers during the on January 15 , 2006 . He recorded seven tackles and one interception in a 29 – 21 loss . Urlacher was also selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl , but declined the position on account of an injury . The team continued their resurgence into the 2006 season , finishing with a record of 13 – 3 . During the season , Urlacher had one of the best performances of his professional career against the Arizona Cardinals . He helped the Bears overcome a 20 - point deficit by recording 19 tackles and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown . Teammate Devin Hester commented on Urlacher ' s performance , stating , " We watched the film and everybody was saying that he just turned into the Incredible Hulk the last four minutes of the game , just killing people and running over and tackling whoever had the ball . " The Bears won the NFC Championship against the New Orleans Saints , 39 – 14 , but lost Super Bowl XLI to the Indianapolis Colts , 29 – 17 . Urlacher finished the season with 93 tackles and three forced fumbles . He was elected to the 2006 All - Pro Team and 2007 Pro Bowl , while also earning consideration for the League ' s Defensive Player of the Year award . The Bears were unable to replicate their success in the 2007 season , and finished last in the NFC North . In the middle of the season , Urlacher admitted that he had been suffering from an arthritic back , but later claimed the ailment was not serious . Nevertheless , he finished the season on a high note , registering five interceptions , five sacks , one fumble recovery , 123 tackles , and a defensive touchdown . Following the season ' s conclusion , Urlacher received minor neck surgery to treat his arthritic back . During the offseason , Urlacher revised his contract with the Bears , who granted him a $ 6 - million signing bonus with a $ 1 - million increase in salary each of the next four years . Urlacher dislocated his wrist in the 2009 season opener against the Packers . He underwent surgery , and went on to miss the remainder of the season . Urlacher had severely damaged a bone in his wrist that was adjacent to a major nerve . Urlacher was forced to wear a cast on his wrist for 12 weeks and spend a month in therapy to recover from the injury . The Bears began to struggle on offense and defense . As frustration built , Urlacher criticized the Bears offense , stating that the addition of quarterback Jay Cutler had changed the team ' s identity . The Bears , who have historically employed a strong running game , were beginning to rely more on the pass on offense . He went on to say , " Kyle Orton might not be the flashiest quarterback , but the guy is a winner , and that formula worked for us . I hate to say it , but that ' s the truth . " Urlacher and Cutler later made amends . The Bears finished the season with a 7 – 9 record , and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year . After recovering from the injury , Urlacher stated , " I feel more powerful . I ’ m running to the football , my keys are a lot more clear now , and I ’ m playing downhill . . . So I think it did help my body kind of calm down and relax a little bit . " During the 2010 offseason , Bears general manager Jerry Angelo bolstered the team ' s defense by signing free agent Julius Peppers . With Peppers ' help , Urlacher and the Bears improved to an 11 – 5 record in the 2010 NFL season , winning the NFC North and earning a first - round bye for the 2011 Playoffs . After leading the NFC in tackles ( 49 ) during the period , Urlacher was recognized as the NFC Defensive Player of the Month during December / January . It was the first time winning the award in his career . Urlacher was also voted to his seventh Pro Bowl for his stellar defensive efforts during the year . In 2011 in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings , Urlacher sprained his MCL when teammate Major Wright and Vikings receiver Percy Harvin landed on him with 5 : 15 left in the game . Luckily for him , there was no ACL damage , according to his MRI . Urlacher was eventually named to the Pro Bowl , but didn ' t play due to the injury against Minnesota . Though he participated in the team ' s first four training camp practices , he hadn ' t participated in any other practices since July 31 . On August 14 , 2012 , Urlacher had an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left knee , and has stated that his goal is to play in the 2012 season opener . He eventually practiced on September 3 , and played against the Colts in the season opener , though he sat out the second half . 2012 : Final season and retirement . In 2012 , Urlacher was awarded the Ed Block Courage Award , given to those who showed a commitment to sportsmanship and courage . During his award acceptance speech , Urlacher thanked the Bears for their support after his mother Lavoyda Lenard died . Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 , Urlacher intercepted Matt Hasselbeck , and returned the pick 46 yards for a touchdown . Urlacher led the Bears in tackles until Week 13 against the Seahawks , in which he sustained a hamstring injury , and on December 5 , Urlacher confirmed that he may miss the rest of the 2012 regular season . Urlacher was eventually ruled out of the Week 14 game against Minnesota . Urlacher became an unrestricted free agent March 12 , 2013 . On March 20 , the Bears announced that Urlacher will not return in 2013 after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract . On May 22 , 2013 , Urlacher announced his retirement via his Twitter account . In 182 games in the NFL , Urlacher started all but two , the third most in franchise history behind Walter Payton ( 184 ) and Olin Kreutz ( 183 ) , recording a team - record 1 , 779 tackles , 41 . 5 sacks , 22 interceptions , 16 fumble recoveries and 11 forced fumbles . Other work . In 2002 , Urlacher appeared on " Wheel of Fortune " , and won over $ 47 , 000 for charity . Urlacher has appeared in several commercials for McDonald ' s , Domino ' s Pizza , Comcast , Nike , Campbell ' s Chunky soup , Old Spice , and Glacéau . He also shared the spotlight with Peyton Manning in a MasterCard commercial at a spa . Nike also aired special commercials about Urlacher ' s high school career containing clips and commentary of plays he made . However , Urlacher later stated that he feels " uncomfortable " appearing in commercials . He was also the cover athlete and spokesperson for Sega Sports ' " NFL 2K 3 " . During media day before Super Bowl XLI Urlacher wore a hat promoting Glacéau vitamin water , a non - NFL approved sponsor , for which he was fined US $ 100 , 000 . Urlacher wrestled in a pay - per - view event for the NWA - TNA promotion . The Bears organization discovered this and forced him to stop . In 2012 , with Nike taking over the NFL supplier from Reebok , Urlacher modeled for the new uniforms . In July 2013 , Urlacher announced that he will be an analyst for Fox Sports 1 on " Fox Football Daily " with Jay Glazer and Curt Menefee ; he had been courted by NFL Network but decided on Fox Sports . Reputation . Following his successful rookie season , Urlacher was able to gain popularity with the fans . On a national level , Urlacher ' s jersey sales have rivaled those of other NFL players , such as Brett Favre and Michael Vick . Football fans across the nation have also voted Urlacher into eight Pro Bowl s . Urlacher ' s teammates and coaches have also praised his character and athletic ability . In 2007 , former teammate Tank Johnson called upon Urlacher to testify during one of his court hearings . Even after winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2005 season , a 2006 " Sports Illustrated " poll of 361 NFL players named Urlacher the second most overrated player in the league behind Terrell Owens . In response , Urlacher has stated " Just watch the film . I don ’ t know what people are saying , but I ’ m not too worried about it anymore . All I can do is go out there and play hard and try and help my team win , and that ' s what I ’ m going to keep doing . " Personal life . Urlacher has two daughters , Pam and Riley , with ex - wife Laurie Urlacher and a son , Kennedy , with Tyna Robertson . Urlacher currently lives with his daughters and has visitation rights with his son . His younger brother , Casey , had a brief career in the Arena Football League , and was later elected mayor of Mettawa , Illinois in 2013 . In June 2005 , Urlacher filed suit to establish paternity of his son Kennedy . Genetic testing was completed and proved that he is Kennedy ' s father . Kennedy ' s mother , Tyna Robertson , was already well - known to the media , having made claims of sexual assault against famed dancer Michael Flatley and a doctor from Naperville , Illinois . In 2011 , Urlacher ' s mother Lavoyda Lenard Urlacher died of unreported causes , and Urlacher was granted his temporary leave from the team . However , Urlacher was able to return to the team in time for the season opener . In April 2012 , Urlacher began dating model and actress Jenny McCarthy . In August 2012 , McCarthy announced that she and Urlacher had ended their relationship . He also enjoys golf ing in his spare time , and during an episode of " AT & T ' s Home Turf " , Urlacher revealed a room in his mansion containing a plethora of golf paraphernalia . When home , Urlacher revealed that he also enjoys watching the Discovery Channel , National Geographic , and HBO ' s " Entourage " . Urlacher enjoys listening to a wide variety of music , including hip hop , rock , and country music . Urlacher has also been spokesperson for several companies . Sega Sports selected Urlacher to appear on the cover of " NFL 2K3 " , while other companies , such as Nike , McDonald ' s , Old Spice , and Vitamin Water , have featured him in several television advertisement s and promotions .