Brian Urlacher announced Wednesday, May 22, 2013, that he is retiring from the NFL.
“After spending a lot time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made the decision to retire,” Urlacher wrote Wednesday. “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 that I could retire after 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear.
“I want to thank all the people in my life that have help me along the way,” Urlacher continued. “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 the great game, but I leave with no regrets.”
In 182 appearances with the Chicago Bears, Urlacher started nearly all of them, while recording a team-record 1,779 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 11 fumbles forced and 16 fumble recoveries.
During the 2012 season, Urlacher led the Bears in tackles until Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks, when he sustained a hamstring injury. 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. He became an unrestricted free agent March 12, 2013, and eight day later on March 20, 2013 the Bears announced that Urlacher would not return for the 2013 season after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.
Urlacher will be 35-years-old on Saturday, May 25, 2013.
Prim Siripipat and Eric Allen discussed how much longer Brian Urlacher can play back in December 2012. Eric Allen thought he would persist.
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