"It's a problem that started all the way back in camp. We've done x-rays, bone scans, MRI's, cat scans and this week I flew to Pittsburgh and met with a specialist. He confirmed what the team told me, that they think it's an arthritis type of thing. The thing that's so frustrating is there is no clear-cut solution to give me relief. I just have to deal with the pain.
"The pain is actually worse than when I tore my hamstring a couple of years ago," he revealed. "That injury was worse because I missed games, but this causes more pain. It prevents me from bending and if I can't bend, I'm not able to be as athletic. I also can't backpedal like I need to. Right now we're trying to find pain solutions, I've got it shot a bunch to try to find some relief and actually it felt better last week.
"The frustrating thing is they can't pinpoint it exactly so I have no idea when it will hurt or hold me back, but the pain is pretty much always there."
On his frustrations with the media:
"I haven't wanted to talk about it because I don't want it to be an excuse. Look, I'm out there, and if I'm out there playing I didn't want it out because I didn't want it used as an excuse by me or anybody else. I'm playing hurt, I'm not playing as well as I want to and they want me to explain everything.
"But I decided to open up about this because the media didn't like my answers and started saying I was doing a disservice to the fans. But the fans aren't the ones getting ticked about my answers. The fans aren't the ones who I'm trying to avoid. I just don't want to talk about an injury where there are no answers. But when the media throws the fan angle in, I'm talking. That's what I'm doing now. Don't use the fan excuse with me."
On the Bears' disappointing season so far:
"We've been very inconsistent on both sides of the ball and we've lost games we shouldn't have. I'm part of that too and hopefully, I can get through this thing."
It's ironic that when the Bears went 13-3 Urlacher didn't mind "all the media questions"...Now that the Bears suck, all of a sudden he takes offense to the questions...Screw Urlacher...Go I hope he is crying as he cashes his millions of dollars a year...wwwwhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaa!
I do not know how to contact you but I do have great news for you.
It starts with my son Zachary who was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) when he was six years old. It was very difficult for us to see our son crawl up into the fetal position on his bed in pain. The doctors had no answers.
I spent thousands of dollars in health food and nutrition trying anything to help Zach. Nothing was working as his condition was worsening.
GREAT NEWS: May of 2006 - We found a patented nutritional product that we gave to Zachary. Three months later Zachary came alive in new health. Blood work done by doctors showed that the JRA was no longer present!!! Today Zachary (11 years old) plays football (without any painful effects of the JRA) and scored his first touchdown last week.
I believe we have the answer for your distress.
Sincerely,
David & Alison and Zach
Home 973.627.0682
Cell 862.324.6702
shake4life@optonline.net
Last edited by DCS7900 on October 29th at 3:43 PM.
Hate the Bears but really like Brian he seems to be a good guy like Walter Payton was. I love the Packers so I was pretty much raised to despise the Bears but a good guy is a good guy. Hell i wish he played for us
slapNtickle???...what kind of "BLEEPin" screen name is that for a sports blog. Shouldn't you be posting on a porn site. My hat is off to Brian. He has better things to do with his off time than write in a blog, but here he is letting us into a life of a pro football player (A great one at that!) that we only dream of and pretend to be as armchair quarterbacks, playing Madden and "coaching" our fantasy teams. Thank you Brian for being candid, open, and generous. Bear Down!!!
P.S. I'm not only saying this because I'm a Bears fan. I'd have responded to "slapNtickle"'s ignorant post even if it was T.O. posting.
Last edited by CAbearsfan on October 29th at 1:47 PM.
slapNtickle...get your head out of your ####. When you learn how to spell, then you can talk your trash. I bet you were the 3rd string kicker in high school weren't you?? Does it feel good to make fun of someone that could take you out in 3 seconds?? I bet your mommy is real proud. And umm...slapNtickle, well I guess that speaks for itself!
Last edited by Ihatethemedia on October 29th at 1:49 PM.
LEAVE BRIAN ALONE!! I MEAN IT!!U PEOPLE JUST DONT UNDERSTAND.BRIAN IS GOING THRU A TOUGH TIME RIGHT NOW..WITH HIS TEAM NOT DOING WELL. HIS EX-WIFE GIVING HIM ####.NOW HIS BACK HURTS, AND ALL U GUYS CAN DO IS BASH HIM..LEAVE BRIAN ALONE!!! I MEAN IT..!!!!IF U GUYS WONT LEAVE HIM ALONE. U ALL WILL ANSWER TO ME..!!I got all your attention now..I am a BIG BEARS FAN!have been all my life.this man is the heart and soul of the team. he is doing what he thinks is right, in dealing with his situation,the media needs to back off. let this man heal, quit hitting him with the same B.S. questions about his health. and let the man play football. he has a high tolerance for pain, just not for nimrod reporter types.Brian,keep keepin on.do what u think YOU need to do.im 49, been a bear fan all my life,even tho i live in Indiana.You are one of the greatest MLB'S that have ever played the game.Someday, i hope to see you play in person.Dont EVER forget..you ARE the face of the Chicago Bears. "RESTORE THE ROAR!!!" GO BEARS!! WOOF!!!
Last edited by nayls57 on October 29th at 2:21 PM.
I've posted it before and after watching yesterdays game the answer is simple. Offseason personnel decisions were the worst I have ever seen. BIGGEST MISTAKE:ADAM ARCHULETA--I remember a Redskins fan warning Bears fans that this guy was a bum, and that guys words could never be more true. Archuleta talked all kinds of #### about how great he was going to be in the Bears system, and the Redskins system didn't utilize his abilities. Guess what? Adam, the problem is not the system, the problem is YOU. You are the most overrated player I have ever seen, and I think it's a joke you are even allowed to wear a Bears uniform. Whoever pushed to get you signed deserves to be fired (Lovie I hope you read this).RUNNING BACK: Cedric Benson has no heart and will only ever be a back up in the league. But hey Cedric, don't feel bad because the rest of the team has no heart.He was a wasted draft choice just like another Texas RB who is trying to reapply to the NFL. Quarterback: The Bears have never had a great QB, and this year is another example of that mediocrity. They are a team that was expected to get back to the SuperBowl with 3 backup QB's. It's not going to happen. It's a shame because the Bears have the receivers, but no one to throw the ball.Coaching: Off Coord. is the most unimaginative coach I have seen in a long time. Watching a Bears offense now is like watching the BEars offense when Ditka was the coach. It #### BORING. The Bears season is history, I hope they lose the rest of their games, and I hope they have the BALLS to draft or sign a good free
Last edited by LIVE4COE on October 29th at 2:16 PM.
thanx 4 the info B! very classy move! but do me a fav n kick the #### out of cedric benson 4 me, maybe than he'll wake the #### up! cedric still will not admit hes been horrible, just lastnite he said "i guess i hav 2 play like superman"! maybe catch a damn ball n stop moping around like a ####!
Here comes the Over-rated talk again, but watching him this year i would have to agree that he is over-rated! He seems two steps slower than just last year...
SLAPNTIKLE you shouldnt be alound on this site bears fan are not u have got to respect urlacher hes won of the best as a player and a leader and the man doesnt put the blame on no1 if his back is messed up its messed up hes still playing if that was u you would prob cry like a little girl your probably a lil #### anyways with that #### name! I just wish he could b in your face when you talk about him like that so he could stomp a muddhole in your ace!
Dear Brian,
I agree with you that the whole team needs to play better. but I feel that the offensive side of the ball needs to start carrying the defense when it is struggling. I'm tired of hearing about how we have the best tightends in the league or best receivers. If you don't center your gameplan around them then the point is mute. And Brian you to me are the heart and soul of that Bears defense not matter how you play!!
Last edited by MikeLSwilly on October 29th at 3:11 PM.
This loyal fan never thought that your short answers were evasive or obnoxious. Sensible people understand that even professional athletes have good days and bad days, and that quite frankly, the media can (and does) hound people to the point of annoyance (and beyond). You have always been communicative to the press and respectful to your fans. It is heart-breaking that you were forced to reveal something so painful and personal as a result of the media’s bullying. I understand that you felt it necessary to come forward so as to keep the lines of communication open with us (your fans); however, I hope you know that there was NEVER a doubt in this fans mind about your commitment to both fans and team.
I hope you feel better and I look forward to seeing you whip on my Redskins in December!
It amazes me how one can be a hero or a media darling one year and a goat the next. This is the same person that played his #### off last year and dominated the defensive scene in the NFL. He is playing hurt, his team still has QB problems, and the competitive nature of the NFL gets better every year. Just because he choosed not to cooperate with the media, they choose to give him a buncha #### Its wrong and disgusting how the media treats athletes these days. Not a bears fan, but this treatment of the stars in the league disgusts me. Damn the media.
Howdy Brian,
After the comments above, I hope your still reading. I have been going through what the docs call arthritic back for ten years now. I have had all the tests done, spinal cortisone injections, disc decompression, therapy and chiropractic. My problems are the entire lumbar spine degenerating, or basically just disinegrating. I am a HUGE fan of the Bears and yourself, but listen brother, the game is not worth ending up like me. Please listen when I say, take care of number 1, or in your case #54. No money in the world would I take to feel the way I do EVERY DAY! The way it was explained to me is if you have arthritis, it doesnt get better, ever. It will only get worse. The cortisone injections only last a short time and you can only get three a year or that in itself will actually help deteriorate muscle and tissue. My doc put me on the baby Vicodins in the beginning, but now, I am addicted to the Norcos which is 1,000 mil. Pretty strong pills. If you become addicted, not only does your back hurt, but it feels like the worst flu possible when you run out of a script early! It takes about a month to detox, feeling like #### the whole time. I still have not found a good way to get off of them, as I raise a five year old child and dont have time to be sick. Anyway, I really love the team and want to see the best players out there, but I would rather see you retire than mess the rest of your life up. You have a child to think about too! It would be terrible to see you using a walker or worse 10 years from now, just think HARD about your future after football. You
Guess I ran out of room! I was saying, maybe if the season is going nowhere, take off the rest of the year and get better if its possible! Feel free to E mail me, I would like to help with anything I can to get you better. If your afraid of the stalker thing, just use someone elses E address to contact me. I am not, but just want to be helpful. You are in the same league as Payton, Butkis, Ditka etc. you have given us enough already, if you have to retire, then do it! You have a child to think about, take care of the family first! Best wishes to you and your family, we will be pulling for you! E mail is crankysob@comcast.net
Thanks for listening, Dave Hoffman
After 14 surgeries in 2 years, living on pain killers to be able to move around and function on a very small time table each day, DONT DO IT. IF it is that bad now, think of how bad it will be even 2 years from now man. Save ur body, because all the money in the world will not do any good when you cant get around anymore. WHen your wife has to tie your shoes or your child does, then it will hit you man. At least do all your fans one favor , take time off, heal up, get some answwers to the problems then make a decision. You have given us all years of highlights to last a life time. Thank you for not only being a great player but a great person. We will always remember the player that not only scared other offence's but was a player the entire other teams had to account for on every snap of the ball. Thank you , now go take care of yours man.
As a longtime loyal Lion's fan I still have the utmost respect for Brian Urlacher. For quite some time he has been the leader, physically and emotionally, of the Bears' defense. It's disheartening to hear even Bear fans bashing him. I am sure that when he is more healthy, all that we were used to before in his play will again be evident. Lion fans would love to have his presence in the middle of our defense.
first why when they watch game film they keep repeating bonehead plays that they see on film. that is lost on me. DE are up the field pass rushing while the runner runs by, Brian more then once shoots to far out and up is completely block away from the runner. I mean I see it, the announcers see it, it has to be on film, why keep doing it?? our recievers are what they were but we just didnt say anything about the drops last year, LIKE IN THE SUPER BOWL!!! Moose always was dropping before, Bernard was third string by the way last year.. i mean come on i cant be the only one to see that..benson is okay but plays with no heart man, i say okay, not great. Griese please, at least Grossman gave me interception in different areas but Griese twice same end zone, same throw, same reciever...please put the horse down his leg is broke
***BRIAN URLACHER****, your defense played good enough to win the lions game. The defense cant carry the entire offense on its shoulders every game (like it did the last two seasons). Your expectations about your defense are so high, but I guess that's a good thing.
Here's the obvious - 1) you guys need a real play maker quarterback. Comon' Griese is as inconsistent game to game as Grossman was, 2) put lester as a starting wide receiver (its obvious teams have adapted the "do not kick to lester under any circumstances" approach, and get thomas jones back from new york (what the heck was that all about???). Wow, what an awesome team you'd have!
Hey Brian, hang in there. I hope you can find a fix for your back. I'll tell you this much, the Bears better realize real soon that Mr. Benson is not much of a running back by himself, he needs a speed back such as Jones. The Bears did just what they did back in the eighties, didn't add just subtracted with their cheap ####. I love the Bears, but their ownership sucks.
Last edited by RusselD on October 29th at 5:48 PM.
All I know is your commercial where you ran through a wall for a McBrat a few years ago was awesome. Unfortunately, that's probably when your back problems started. The brats were pretty darn good anyway. Hang in there...
I do not know how to contact you but I do have great news for you.
It starts with my son Zachary who was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) when he was six years old. It was very difficult for us to see our son crawl up into the fetal position on his bed in pain. The doctors had no answers.
I spent thousands of dollars in health food and nutrition trying anything to help Zach. Nothing was working as his condition was worsening.
GREAT NEWS: May of 2006 - We found a patented nutritional product that we gave to Zachary. Three months later Zachary came alive in new health. Blood work done by doctors showed that the JRA was no longer present!!! Today Zachary (11 years old) plays football (without any painful effects of the JRA) and scored his first touchdown last week.
I believe we have the answer for your distress.
Sincerely,
David & Alison and Zach
Home 973.627.0682
Cell 862.324.6702
shake4life@optonline.net
You may want to consider some alternative methods for your pain. I'm someone who has had a tremendous amount of back pain, tried many things and discovered that there can be many causes of pain besides physical stuff.
If you go beyond my words and get what's behind them, you'll understand that healing your pain will need more than what traditional medicine can offer.
You've got pain that needs something greater for you to be free from it. It may mean that you will have to get to the point where its really bad and you cannot get relief before you seek methods outside the box.
Take what I say or leave it. I only offer this to you because I don't like to see people in pain, and also because I know that medicine, surgery, etc. will not get to the root causes of your pain.
Brian, The best thing about your game (in addition to big plays) is that you always seem to be in the mix on every play. I recall watching the Saints playoff game last year, you guys were well on your way to victory when Reggie Bush sprang loose for that long run and hot dogged it the last few yards. All of the sudden I see five four on his tail-actually almost chasing him down to make a play! The game was out of reach, but as I watched that play I thought to myself, that's a real football player out there, always sending a message no matter what the score-old school tough!
Keep it up Brian. A Bears fan all my life I have seen how many of the Chicago media, print and radio both, like to twist, and turn the truth and take things so far out of context that there is very little truth left in a lot of what they say. You don't owe those pompous fools anything. I appreciate you doing this on Foxsports so that us fans can get the truth. There are a few good people that do report accurately (Jigs) but the rest can take a nice walk into Lake Michigan on a nice January day as far as I'm concerned. I pray your back problem won't follow you into your post football life, but I hope you will still be knocking the #### out of people for many years to come. Hang in there. Bears fan from Indiana
Last edited by cephas5150 on October 29th at 8:25 PM.
No matter what you do, you will find some sports writer that is more than willing to take your comments out of context in order to get some time in the spotlight. I appreciate your going directly to the fans, but I hope you won't let this be a distraction for you.
I'm sure you have access to the best medical care available, and eventually the right person will help you discover the root of the problem.
Until then I say play to win, it makes dealing with pain a whole lot easier when your winning.
FIRST: This is to DCS7900, CONGRATULATIONS!! That is an amazing COMEBACK from your son. I am sure that you are proud that he was able to go from one thing to a completely better HEALTHY person. I wish the best for your son and the rest of your Family.
SECOND: Mr. Urlacher, your defense has not been up to the task lately. I don't have the answers, but if you looked at the tape of last year, you can see that everyone on YOUR defense was "flying" to the ball, and now they are waiting to get "punched" before they do anything. Maybe that is because of the play calling or maybe that is because you (the defense) are resting on your laurels from last year's performance: i.e. relying on what you were able to accomplish last year with the turn overs etc......Personally I think that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth, what matters most is what they do after they have been punched...I know that is a quote from somewhere, and I give credit to whom ever said it, but Mr Urlacher, you have been punched, now get up and punch back.......
Unless you have had this type of back injury you will not understand the debilitating effect it has. Unfortunately I understand. I have been athletic my entire life, I have had broken bones, displaced fractures, sprains, strains, torn ligaments, stitches, and concussions; nothing compares to the pain that I experience from my back injury due to an auto accident. It affects everything I do. Being in constant pain affects even your demeanor. Brian, those who truly know what you are going through realize you are not making excuses. Ignore the ignorant, for no matter what you say they will not understand. This includes the media.
Let me tell you something about your one word answers, we as fans dont care if you dont answer the media. Especially in Chicago, David Haugh, Rick Morrisey, they are all as holes. The dont know what the f they are talking about. We as fans only know this, what you do on the field is all we care about, I know you dont care about the media after they burned rex to the stake. But just keep in mind that, we need you and BRIGGS, and Hunter. The best linebacking core in the NFL. You are the shiznit and the face of the chicago Bears Franchise!! Lets get some W's. Bear Down!!!!
"SLAPNTIKLE you shouldnt be alound on this site bears fan are not u have got to respect urlacher hes won of the best as a player and a leader and the man doesnt put the blame on no1 if his back is messed up its messed up hes still playing if that was u you would prob cry like a little girl your probably a lil BLEEP anyways with that BLEEP name! I just wish he could b in your face when you talk about him like that so he could stomp a muddhole in your ace! "
Ah yes, the intelligent indiviuals out in force to protect their poor little helpless Urlacher!!!! Do I think he is a "bad ####"?? Yes. Do I think he is one of the best defensive players currently? Yes.
Do I think that BRIAN URLACHER needs several idiots on a BLOG to rush to his defense???? NO!
A lot of you people are idiots (those who like to threaten things like Urlacher would kick your ####, or make suggestions about my sexuality etc)..Brilliant stuff you retards.....
All I suggested was that anwering media questions seem not to be a big deal when the Bears are winning, but now Urlacher is being somewhat short with the media now that the Bears stink...Oh but I'm the bad guy....Maybe Urlacher will come to your defense....And I love how you have to threaten people, via a 3rd party, over a sports blog...Oh yes, you are some really BRAVE people.
Brian,
You have been one of my favorites since Dan Hampton and all the guys of 1985. I do worry about your back injury though, you are a darn good player, the best as far as I am concerned. But is it really worth it in the long run??? What if some day you can't crawl out of bed, move around like any normal person. Just please take of yourself and hey are you single???:)
Concerned
Kimberly Weikert
kimweikert@hotmail.com
Oh my son is playing football for a college in Monmouth, Illinois -- Monmouth College, every heard of them?, he is def. line. He wants to play pro someday too
F the media and F Jay Mariotti. You want to talk about whinny, read some of this F***tard's drivel. How dare he question this man's toughness when he himself has never played a competitive down in his* life. Not talking to the media is the best thing ANY professional can do. Why make their job* easier. Does anyone out there really care what these guys have to say anyway? If it is not football related who cares? Why divuldge injury info for the whole world to see, um lets see, maybe so the bookies in Vegas can make a line. Half these bums write about stuff they don't even see in person or bother to take the time to do the interview themselves. They are to busy recording TV shows promoting their own so called wisdom for their own profit, not the fans. Jay Mariotti is a small, weak, gravity challenged troll. If there is a city out there that would be willing to take this peice of human garbage, please help yourself. Boise this means you! FTF!
If issues like this bother you and you feel the need to voice your opinion please visit www.jaythejoke.com
Although I'm definitely not a Bears fan, I have admired Urlacher since the day he entered the league. The guy has true grit and class. The league needs more like him.
Brian, you are the man! its not your fault there is no back field and you have to rush the line and then get back to coverage every play. Its bad coaching which has put you in this situation. Honestly, besides bad coaching, its Cedric Benson, he is the reason the offense sucks, and the reason the defense is tired and has been sucking. Hey ask lovie if Thomas Jones was from Texas would he still be here. Hey 1300 yards on split carries, yeah we dont need him.. we get off the bus running.
Urlacher is so overrated...he has the skills but misses so many tackles, overruns so many plays. It is so frustrating to have him as the leader of the defense and he is consistently BAD!
Brian's a pretty normal guy getting paid a lot of money and playing for one of the most storied and best fan supported franchise in pro sports...That being said, I don't see why he couldn't speak to any and all media about this situation. I don't live in Chitown so I may not have a complete grasp of the cuurrent mindset there but is the media there so negative that they would not listen to his side of the story any longer.
I remember Brian from his days here at Univ. of New Mexico where he could do almost anything on a football field to help his team...And he has gotten over his small-town shyness for sure!!
Brian Urlacher is a six-time Pro Bowl selection who also holds the distinction of being just the fifth player to win both Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors during his career. The mainstay of the Bears' defense will speak frequently with FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Jay Glazer ... and we'll bring it to you here.
