In the world of professional football, there are few names more iconic than Kennedy Urlacher. The linebacker spent his entire 13-year career with the Chicago Bears, racking up an impressive list of accomplishments along the way. Urlacher was a five-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro, and the 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was also a member of the Bears’ Super Bowl XLI team. In 2013, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. To this day, Urlacher remains one of the most beloved figures in Chicago sports history. In this blog post, we’ll take a look back at his storied career and explore what made him such a legend.
Who is Kennedy Urlacher?
Kennedy Urlacher was born in 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the middle child of three boys born to Brad and Laurie Urlacher. His father was a football player at Arizona State University and his grandfather, Gene, played minor league baseball. Kennedy’s uncle, Gary, also played football at the University of Wyoming.
Kennedy grew up playing sports and was a big fan of the Chicago Bears. He attended high school in Lovington, New Mexico, where he played football and basketball. He then went on to play college football at the University of Arizona.
After college, Kennedy was drafted by the Bears in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played his entire career with the Bears, retiring in 2012. He was a eight-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
Kennedy is married to Jennie Finch and they have two children together. In his retirement, he has remained active in philanthropy work and also serves as an analyst on Fox Sports 1’s “Fox Football Daily.”
Kennedy Urlacher: His early life and college career
Kennedy Urlacher was born and raised in Lovington, New Mexico. He excelled in football and track & field at Lovington High School, where he was a two-time state champion in the shot put. Urlacher then went on to play college football at the University of New Mexico.
As a freshman at UNM, Urlacher was named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He went on to be a two-time All-MWC selection and finished his college career with 378 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and six interceptions. Urlacher graduated from UNM in 2000 with a degree in criminology.
His time with the Chicago Bears
Kennedy Urlacher was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played his entire career with the Bears, from 2000 to 2012. In his thirteen seasons with the team, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. He helped lead the Bears to their first Super Bowl appearance in twenty-one years, and was a key player on one of the best defenses in NFL history.
Urlacher announced his retirement from the NFL on May 22, 2013. In his statement, he said, “I have been fortunate enough to play this game for thirteen years. I want to thank all of my teammates, coaches, and the fans for their support throughout my career.”
Urlacher will always be remembered as one of the greatest players in Chicago Bears history. He was a true leader on and off the field, and his passion for the game inspired those around him. He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of watching him play.
Kennedy Urlacher: His post-football life
Since retiring from the NFL, Urlacher has kept busy with a number of different ventures. He was an analyst for Fox Sports 1 for a short time and he currently is a spokesperson for PNC Bank. He also has his own line of barbecue sauce and beef jerky. In addition, Urlacher is involved with the United Way and he has a foundation that provides assistance to children in need.
Why he’s considered a legend
Urlacher was one of the most complete linebackers to ever play in the NFL. He had the unique ability to stuff the run and rush the passer, which made him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Urlacher was also a very good coverage linebacker, which is rare for a player of his size. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, and was selected to eight Pro Bowls during his career.
Conclusion
Kennedy Urlacher was one of the best players to ever put on a Chicago Bears uniform. He was a true legend and will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game. We hope that you enjoyed reading this article and learning more about Kennedy’s incredible career. If you’re ever in Chicago, make sure to swing by Soldier Field and see Kennedy’s statue – it’s a truly impressive sight.
