Brian Urlacher Biography

Brian Urlacher, a linebacker with the Chicago Bears, has won multiple awards for his skilful and adaptable play. A fan favorite, he is also known for his charity work.

Brian Keith Urlacher was born on May 25, 1978, in Pasco, Washington. He has an older sister, Sheri Urlacher, and a younger brother, Casey Urlacher (who went on to become an Arena League footballer). Early in his childhood Urlacher’s parents divorced and his mother, Lavoyda, took him and his siblings to live with her in the oil town of Lovington, New Mexico. There, she struggled to raise them while working three jobs, but things improved for the family when she married cowboy and oilman Troy Lenard. Strict and hard-working, Lenard helped the young Urlacher to develop the discipline that he would need to turn his love of sports into a professional career.

Urlacher's interest in sports developed when he was a student at Lovington High School, where he showed a natural talent for football and basketball. Naturally shy, he was hesitant at first but grew in confidence after he was introduced to weight training, on which he would spend several hours a day. Over the next few years Urlacher grew to six feet, four inches in height and put on over sixty pounds of muscle. In his final year at the school he led the Lovington Wildcats to victory in the 3A State Championship after a perfect 14-0 season.

Urlacher had hoped to continue his football career at Texas Tech, but the plan fell through after he failed to secure a scholarship. Instead, he attended the University of New Mexico, where his ability in the sport stagnated for a while until, under new coach Rocky Long, he became a linebacker. The team itself enjoyed little success, but the variety of skills which Urlacher was able to demonstrate in his new position put him in great demand, his 178 tackles the best of the season. With a strong, aggressive defensive style, Urlacher also proved himself capable in offense, averaging 15.8 yards on ten punt returns in his final college season.

Upon leaving college with a degree in criminology, Urlacher was immediately snapped up by the Chicago Bears. He initially struggled to hold his own on the team, but when an injury to Barry Minter gave him the chance to prove himself as middle linebacker, his inspired play against the New York Giants made him a crowd favorite. An equally strong showing in his next two games led to him winning the coveted 2000 NFL Rookie of the Year award. Unfortunately, most of Urlacher's team mates have so far failed to live up to the high standards he has set for them. As a result, his personal successes have not translated into championship wins.

When not on the field, Urlacher has kept himself busy working on promotional campaigns for McDonald's, Nike, Domino's Pizza, and Campbell's Chunky soup. He has devoted much of his spare time to charity work, raising money for Ronald McDonald House and also for the Special Olympics, which he has worked hard to promote.

Urlacher has been married once, but the marriage ended in divorce, and his daughter, Pamela, now lives with his ex-wife Laure in Phoenix, Arizona. He also has a child by former stripper Tyra Robertson (known for her unsuccessful claims of sexual assault against dancer Michael Flatley). In the past he dated hotel heiress Paris Hilton.

Urlacher lives with his basset hounds in Lake Bluff, Illinois. He owns a car dealership in Lovington.

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