History of Brian Urlacher in Timeline

Brian Urlacher is a retired American football linebacker, renowned for his 13-season career with the Chicago Bears in the NFL. Prior to his professional career, Urlacher played college football for the New Mexico Lobos, where he excelled and achieved consensus All-American recognition in his senior year. The Bears drafted him ninth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of his highly successful tenure with the team.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

May 25, 1978: Brian Urlacher Born

On May 25, 1978, Brian Urlacher was born in Pasco, Washington.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Team's Best Finish Since 1986

In 2001, the Chicago Bears had their best season finish since 1986.

1995: Won State Championship

In 1995, Brian Urlacher led Lovington High School Wildcats to an undefeated 14-0 season, winning the division 3-A state championship.

1996: Graduated from Lovington High School

In 1996, Brian Urlacher graduated from Lovington High School.

1997: Insight.com Bowl

In 1997, Brian Urlacher's team made a trip to the Insight.com Bowl.

1999: Finalist for Jim Thorpe Award

In 1999, Brian Urlacher was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and finished twelfth on the Heisman Trophy ballot.

1999: 29th Ranked Defense

In 1999, the Chicago Bears had the 29th ranked defense.

2000: Named Defensive Rookie of the Year

In 2000, Brian Urlacher led the Bears with 124 tackles and eight sacks, surpassing the franchise's previous rookie records. He was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year by news organizations such as the Associated Press and The Sporting News.

2000: Male Athlete of the Year Award

In 2000, Brian Urlacher was awarded the Male Athlete of the Year Award.

2000: Drafted by Chicago Bears

In 2000, Brian Urlacher was selected as the ninth overall pick in the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.

2000: Selected by Chicago Bears in NFL Draft

In 2000, Brian Urlacher was selected in the first round of the NFL draft as the ninth overall pick by the Chicago Bears.

2001: Losing Seasons

After the winning season of 2001, the Bears would go on to have three straight losing seasons.

2001: Played in Pro Bowl

In 2001, Brian Urlacher played in the Pro Bowl as an alternate middle linebacker.

2001: Best Finish Since 2001

In 2005, Urlacher led the Bears to an 11-5 record, marking their best finish since 2001.

May 15, 2002: Urlacher's episode of According to Jim aired

On May 15, 2002, the episode No Surprises (season 1, episode 22) of According to Jim, featuring Brian Urlacher, aired.

Loading Video...

May 2002: Urlacher appears in According to Jim

In May 2002, Brian Urlacher appeared in an episode of According to Jim as himself.

Loading Video...

2002: Urlacher wins on Wheel of Fortune

In 2002, Brian Urlacher appeared on the game show Wheel of Fortune and won over $47,000 for charity.

Loading Video...

2004: Injuries and New Coach

In 2004, Brian Urlacher suffered several injuries that sidelined him for the majority of the season. The Bears fired Jauron and hired Lovie Smith.

June 2005: Urlacher Files Paternity Suit

In June 2005, Brian Urlacher filed suit to establish paternity of his son Kennedy. Genetic testing confirmed he is Kennedy's father. Urlacher and Robertson maintain joint custody over Kennedy.

2005: Urlacher wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

Brian Urlacher won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2005 season.

2005: NFL Defensive Player of the Year

In 2005, Brian Urlacher won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.

January 15, 2006: Playoff Game Against Carolina Panthers

On January 15, 2006, Brian Urlacher played in his second career playoff game against the Carolina Panthers, recording seven tackles and one interception in a 29–21 loss.

2006: Halftime Ceremony Honoring Success

In 2006, a special halftime ceremony was held to honor Brian Urlacher's success.

2006: Urlacher Named Second Most Overrated Player

In 2006, after winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, a Sports Illustrated poll named Brian Urlacher the second most overrated player in the league.

2006: NFC Championship

In 2006, 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 recorded 19 tackles and a forced fumble against the Arizona Cardinals.

2007: Arthritic Back

In 2007, Brian Urlacher admitted to suffering from an arthritic back, but finished the season with five interceptions, five sacks, one fumble recovery, 123 tackles, and a defensive touchdown. Following the season, he received minor neck surgery to treat his arthritic back and revised his contract with the Bears.

2007: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2007, Brian Urlacher was elected to the 2007 Pro Bowl.

2007: Urlacher Testifies in Court for Tank Johnson

In 2007, former teammate Tank Johnson called upon Brian Urlacher to testify during one of his court hearings.

2009: Dislocated Wrist and Criticism of Offense

In 2009, Brian Urlacher dislocated his wrist in the season opener against the Packers and missed the remainder of the season. He criticized the Bears offense, stating that the addition of quarterback Jay Cutler had changed the team's identity.

2010: Injury Recovery

In 2010, after recovering from a wrist injury, Brian Urlacher stated he felt more powerful. During the offseason, the Bears bolstered their defense by signing free agent Julius Peppers.

2010: Playoffs

In the 2010 NFL season, with Julius Peppers' help, Brian Urlacher and the Bears improved to an 11–5 record, winning the NFC North and earning a first-round bye for the 2011 playoffs.

2011: NFC Defensive Player

Brian Urlacher was recognized as the NFC Defensive Player of the Month during December/January in 2011.

2011: Urlacher's Mother Dies

In 2011, Brian Urlacher's mother, Lavoyda Lenard Urlacher, died, and he was granted temporary leave from the team.

2011: MCL Sprain

In 2011, during Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, Brian Urlacher sprained his MCL.

April 2012: Urlacher begins dating Jenny McCarthy

In April 2012, Brian Urlacher began dating model and actress Jenny McCarthy.

August 14, 2012: Arthroscopic Surgery

On August 14, 2012, Brian Urlacher had an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left knee, with the goal of playing in the 2012 season opener.

August 2012: Urlacher and McCarthy End Relationship

In August 2012, Jenny McCarthy announced that she and Brian Urlacher had ended their relationship.

2012: Urlacher wins Ed Block Courage Award, Models New Uniforms

In 2012, Brian Urlacher won the Ed Block Courage Award for sportsmanship and courage. During his acceptance speech, he thanked the Bears. In 2012, he also modeled the new Nike uniforms after Nike took over as the NFL supplier from Reebok.

March 12, 2013: Urlacher Becomes Unrestricted Free Agent

On March 12, 2013, Brian Urlacher became an unrestricted free agent.

May 22, 2013: Urlacher Announces Retirement

On May 22, 2013, Brian Urlacher announced his retirement via his Twitter account. He ended his NFL career with a team-record 1,779 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries, and 11 forced fumbles.

July 2013: Urlacher joins Fox Sports 1

In July 2013, Brian Urlacher announced he would be an analyst for Fox Sports 1 on Fox Football Daily with Jay Glazer and Curt Menefee.

Loading Video...

November 9, 2013: Jersey Retired

On November 9, 2013, the University of New Mexico retired Brian Urlacher's No. 44 jersey during halftime of the game against Air Force.

2013: Urlacher's Brother Becomes Mayor

In 2013, Brian Urlacher's younger brother, Casey, was elected mayor of Mettawa, Illinois.

September 16, 2014: Urlacher Resigns from Fox Sports 1

On September 16, 2014, Brian Urlacher resigned from his role as an analyst for Fox Sports 1 to spend more time with his family.

Loading Video...

December 2014: Urlacher Participates in USO Chairman's Holiday Tour

In December 2014, Brian Urlacher participated in the USO Chairman's Holiday tour, providing entertainment to US troops in five countries.

2014: Urlacher Undergoes Hair Transplant and Becomes Spokesman

In 2014, Brian Urlacher underwent a hair transplant surgery performed by RESTORE Hair. He became a spokesman for the Illinois-based clinic and appeared on billboards and television. Urlacher later sued a Florida-based hair transplant clinic for using his image and likeness without his consent.

2014: Emery Fired

In 2014, Phil Emery was fired. Urlacher has yet to speak to him since.

2015: Urlacher expresses respect for Bears organization, but not Phil Emery

In 2015, Brian Urlacher told ESPN that he still respected the Bears organization and front office, but has yet to speak to Phil Emery, who was fired in 2014.

March 13, 2016: Urlacher Marries Jennipher Frost

On March 13, 2016, Brian Urlacher married Jennipher Frost, a former contestant on America's Next Top Model.

Loading Video...

November 21, 2017: Urlacher Named Pro Football Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist

On November 21, 2017, Brian Urlacher was announced as one of 27 semi-finalists for the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. This nomination was Urlacher's first and came in his first year of eligibility.

December 5, 2017: Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

On December 5, 2017, Brian Urlacher was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

2017: Urlacher appeals for custody of son

In 2017, Brian Urlacher appealed to a Cook County court to remove Kennedy from Robertson's custody after her husband was shot and killed.

2017: Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

In 2017, Brian Urlacher was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

February 3, 2018: Urlacher Voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

On February 3, 2018, Brian Urlacher was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2018: Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 2018, Brian Urlacher was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

August 27, 2020: Urlacher Criticizes NBA Players Boycott and Supports Kyle Rittenhouse

On August 27, 2020, Brian Urlacher made a post to his Instagram story criticizing NBA players for boycotting playoff games and liked a post supporting Kyle Rittenhouse, generating significant controversy. The Bears responded, stating the posts did not reflect their values.