Even after an almost forced retirement, Brian Urlacher is still rooting for the Chicago Bears, unless they make it to the Super Bowl.
Urlacher is happy in retirement, or so he told NFL.com’s Dave Dameshek in a recent interview, saying “there’s nothing that could bring me back.” But, while the 35-year-old former linebacker enjoys the spoils of retirement, he’s also hoping the Bears don’t win a ring without him.
“I’m still rooting for them,” Urlacher said. “I hope they do well. They better not win a championship without me because I’ll be really pissed.”
Urlacher didn’t want to retire in the first place and, as “happy” as he may seem, probably still wants to be on the field. So, after 13 seasons in Chicago, missing out on his best chance at a title in 2006, Urlacher’s negative reaction is understandable. Even Bears quarterback Jay Cutler can empathize with his former teammate.
“I don’t blame him, I think if I had just retired, I’d probably be in the similar boat,” Cutler said to CSN Chicago on Thursday. “You miss the game, you obviously wish everyone well, if your team does go the distance you wish you were right there with him. I can’t blame him.”
Cutler could be in a similar situation to Urlacher by this time next year. At 30 years old, it’s unlikely Cutler will find himself in retirement but, with his contract set to expire, he too may look back at Chicago with that longing feeling.
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