Chicago Bears' Brian Urlacher Says He Doesn't Care About the Fans

Ouch.

What more is there to say if you're a fan of the Chicago Bears. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has been the face of the franchise for years, and after the team lost to the Green Bay Packers Sunday, he gives the fans a shot to the jaw.

"Two of the people I don't care about: fans or media," Urlacher said to sports anchor Lou Canellis on WFLD-Ch. 32.

Don't get us wrong, there are probably a number of players out there that don't agree with the fans and/or the media. But in case you hadn't noticed, not many of them go out and say it publicly.

Especially not after all the two sides have been through. Ask any Chicago Bears fan and they'd say they'd defend Urlacher to the death. There are countless Urlacher jerseys throughout Chicago. Him coming out and saying this, at this point of the year — when he isn't even on the field due to a hamstring injury — just doesn't seem right.

These remarks come following the loss to Green Bay, where rumors swirled that head coach Lovie Smith out be on his way out of Chicago at season's end.

Urlacher said Smith retains the respect of his players for the way he keeps his cool during trying times and he hopes to see Smith at the helm in Chicago for a long time.

"He's not going to call a player out in front of the people, he'll do it privately, which is the way it should be handled," Urlacher said. "He's not one of those coaches who's going to go out there and yell and scream at you. That's just not his style and we appreciate that. We know when it's time to play, we just haven't played well. It's not his fault we haven't played well. He can't get out there and do it for us, we have to do it ourselves."

Aside from those comments, he also took a swipe at the fans for booing the home team.

"Our crowd was pretty good today for the most part. They were loud for a minute there, the boos were really loud, which is always nice," Urlacher said. "The only team in our division that gets booed at home is us. It's unbelievable to me.

News flash for Urlacher: Not having won a football game in the month of December since 2010 is rather "boo-worthy." Fans get frustrated when their favorite team can't close out a season with a string of wins, which ultimately costs them a playoff birth.

That's why at the end of the year, if Chicago isn't in the playoffs, Lovie Smith will be on his way out — as it's well known that this late season collapse isn't anything new. By the looks of it right now, with this attitude toward the city and fans, Urlacher will be his escort.

Dan Benton

Be sure to check out other great articles at Sports Media 101.