Has Urlacher really closed the door for good?
If Brian Urlacher stays retired, it will cap a darn good 13-year career in a Chicago Bears uniform. Although he never won a Super Bowl, the team did get there in 2006-07.
The eight-time pro bowler did a TV interview with me in his rookie season, and I had dinner with him afterward. Who knew it would go this fast?
I’m not sure the door is completely closed for him — maybe a Bill Belichick calls him. Not only would Urlacher possibly get an opportunity to play in another Super Bowl, he just might win one.
At this point in his career, it’s about staying healthy and on the field, and that has been a little difficult at times for him.
I’m sure the blue-and-orange tears were streaming down Bears fans faces with sentimentality because he is retiring as a Bear, which honestly seems like the right move. However, since he did look elsewhere after he didn’t accept the Bears’ $2 million offer, I am sure if another team offered him $10 million guaranteed for two years, he would have played. His passion for the game would most likely re-emerge.
Some people lose their passion when there is a lack of interest in them or their ability starts to wane. I am not afraid to admit that when the Bears gave him his last multimillion dollar deal I thought it was a mistake.
But I was wrong. He played some really good football and he completely legitimized that deal. Urlacher was that rare athlete who not only could run, but could hit and hit hard.
Who knows — he could get hungry again. I still think he could help someone, but if he stays retired he had a great 13-season run with one team.
Sergio’s thoughtlessness:Sergio Garcia thinks he is cute, but he really has to look in the mirror. The comments he made toward Tiger Woods were stupid and contrived. I think he knew exactly what he was doing. Look, Tiger Woods may not be the friendliest guy in the world, but Garcia#146;s fried chicken comment was stupid and wrong in about 19 different ways. In a profession where 70th place lands you $15,000, where you date a supermodel and you really don#146;t work for a living, Garcia seems a little clueless. I#146;ve never been the biggest Tiger Woods fan, but Garcia should keep quiet and just play golf. He is letting Woods own a house in his head. Tiger took the high road, Garcia the gutter #151; just like their respective careers.Program note:Watch me on #147;Mancow#148; on WPWR Ch. 50 at 6 a.m. on Friday.Along with my regular times on Fox Sports radio on Saturday (6-9 p.m.) and on Sunday (9-midnight), I will be sitting in Monday from 2-6 p.m. on Fox Sports radio. Listen on XM247, iHeart radio or at foxsportsradio.com.Ÿ Mike North#146;s column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.