Brian Urlacher (born May 25, 1978 in Pasco, Washington) is a linebacker with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He moved with his single mother to Albuquerque as a child, and later graduated from the University of New Mexico, where he starred as a strong safety. Upon being drafted by Chicago, he was converted to middle linebacker, where his tackling skills, speed, aggression, and intelligence made him an instant star. Urlacher was named 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times, and has continued the Bears' tradition of excellent linebackers which includes such past stars as Bill George, Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary. Additionally, on January 6th,2006 Brian Urlacher was named the 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an honor that was fitting as he led one of the most dominant defenses in recent memory. He has surpassed the Bears single season tackle record (As recorded by the Bears) with 214 tackles in 2002, previously held by Dick Butkus. He was the Bears leading tackler in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Sales of Urlacher replica jerseys have at times been the NFL's best seller, along with other stars like Randy Moss and Michael Vick.
On January 6, 2006, Urlacher was awarded with the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He received a majority of the votes with 34 out of a panel of 50 NFL sportswriters and broadcasters. Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney came in second place with four votes and Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu in third place with three votes.
In June 2005, Urlacher filed suit to establish paternity of a child. Genetic testing was completed to prove that he is the father. Tyna Robertson, the mother of the child, has agreed in court that the Bears star is the baby's father. Urlacher also has two daughters from his first marriage. In court documents filed in August 2005, Urlacher expressed a willingness to support the child financially but was concerned with bankrolling "an enhanced lifestyle" for Robertson. Robertson, 33, a former stripper and presently a real estate agent, is the same woman who sued dancer Michael Flatley for $35 million in March 2003, saying he had raped her, and also accused a Naperville, Illinois doctor of inappropriate touching in a story she later recanted.
