Fansided

Top 30 NFL players of the 21st century

By Jarrett Bailey

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 25: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears lines up against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 25, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 25: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears lines up against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 25, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

27. Brian Urlacher

Doesn’t the name “Brian Urlacher” just sound like the name of a great NFL linebacker that would knock your shoes off? Urlacher carried on the tradition of great Bears defenders, and was the ultimate Monster of the Midway in the 2000s.

He was drafted by Chicago in 2000 and he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. In 2001, he was named First-Team All-Pro after recording 118 tackles and intercepting three passes. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown that season. His instincts from playing safety in college served him well at the NFL level, as he intercepted 22 passes in his career.

Urlacher was named All-Pro once again in 2002. He had 153 tackles that season, and continued to get better with time. In 2005, he won Defensive Player of the Year as the Bears fielded one of the best defenses in football, of which Urlacher was the catalyst.

He finished his career as an eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro. In an era where the Bears never had great offenses, they relied on their defense to win them games. Urlacher helped get the Bear to multiple NFC Championship Games, as well as an appearance in Super Bowl XLI.

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