Fansided

Lance Briggs to officially retire

By Matt Verderame

Sep 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs (55) reacts during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs (55) reacts during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears had one of the best linebacker corps for years led by Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. The duo helped lead the Bears to a Super Bowl appearance in 2006 and back to the NFC Championship game in 2010. On Wednesday, it was announced that Briggs is getting ready to officially file retirement paperwork and join CSN Chicago to cover the Bears, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

This seems like a good move for one of the greatest players to ever wear a Chicago uniform. Briggs was drafted in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of the University of Arizona and starred for the Bears over 12 seasons. All told, Briggs played in 173 regular-season games and racked up 15 career sacks with 1,177 tackles and 16 interceptions. Eight times, including six consecutive seasons from 2004-09, Briggs has more than 100 tackles in a season.

Briggs was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and was a three-time All-Pro, including the first team in 2005. In 2006, Briggs was able to play a key role in the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1985, when the famous 46 defense led the way to a championship.

Over the last two seasons, it was clear that Briggs was nearing the end of his playing career. He was only able to play a combined 17 games due to injury, severely hampering his impact. Chicago was not able to make the playoffs in either campaign.

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