| Four-time Pro Bowler has led Chicago in tackles in 4 of his 5 seasons. One of just 5 players in team history to receive Pro Bowl selections in each of their first 4 NFL seasons. His 785 career tackles are the most ever for a Bears player in his first 5 NFL seasons. Career awards include: NFL Defensive Rookie-of-the- Year (2000), 4-time NFC Defensive Player-of-the-Week and NFC Special Teams Player-of-the-Week (12/23/01). Recognized by his teammates as the rookie recipient of the Brian Piccolo Award.
Taken with the ninth overall pick in the first-round in the 2000 NFL Draft. Signed nine-year contract extension in 2003.
2004: Topped 100-tackle plateau for fifth straight season, recording 105 tackles, and named a first-alternate for the Pro Bowl despite finishing the season on injured reserve... Missed 7 games due to 3 separate injuries, the first time lost of his career... Earned 2 NFC Defensive Player of- the-Week awards... Led all MLBs in NFL with 5.5 sacks and ranked 2nd on the Bears in that category... Added 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles and 3 PBUs.
2003: Started third straight Pro Bowl at MLB and played in fourth consecutive as Chicago's leader with 153 total tackles, 112 solos and 11 TFLs.
2002: Led all NFC defensive players in Pro Bowl voting to earn starting MLB assignment after registering career-high and Bear-record 214 total tackles (after coach's review) and 19 TFLs. Ranked 2nd in NFL with 152 tackles according to play-by-play stats, 4 behind Miami's Zach Thomas. Started all 16 games while ranking among team leaders with 4.5 sacks (3rd) and 1 INT (3rd).
2001: Finished 5th in NFL MVP voting, the highest of any defensive player, after leading Bears with 148 tackles (after coach's review) and ranking among team leaders with 6 sacks (3rd) and 3 INTs (T-2nd). Honored as NFL Defensive Player-of-the-Year by Football Digest and first-team All-Pro by every major pro football publication. Selected for his first Pro Bowl start in his second trip to the game as NFC's top vote-getter for MLBs after starting all 16 games for the first time in this career. Recorded 2 TDs.
2000: Named NFL’s Defensive Rookie-of-the-Year and a unanimous all-rookie team honoree after registering team high of 165 tackles (after coaches review), 8 sacks, 103 solos and 7 TFLs while starting the final 14 games of the season... Voted a first alternate and selected to team following an injury to Detroit's Stephen Boyd. Opened season as reserve OLB before moving to starting MLB spot in Week 3... Tied for 2nd on team with 2 INTs while leading team in tackles in 10 of final 13 contests.
COLLEGE: Versatile player for New Mexico (1996-99) where he played OLB and FS on defense, WR on offense and returned kickoffs and punts. Two-year starter who finished career 3rd on school's all-time charts with 442 tackles. Added 3 INTs, 11 sacks and 11 forced fumbles. Averaged 18.8 yards on 5 kickoff returns and 15.1 yards on 13 punt returns.. Of his 7 catches, 6 went for TDs. Majored in criminology.
PERSONAL: Had jersey number 11 retired during "Brian Urlacher Day" ceremonies at Lovington (NM) H.S. in February, 2001. All-State selection at WR and FS led club to 14-0 record and state title as senior while catching 61 passes for 15 TDs, returning 4
punts and 2 kickoffs for TDs and rushing for 2 more TDs. Has 2 daughters, Pamela and Riley. | 
