Sean Jensen - The Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC
Racine, Wisconsin, USA
www.broadstreetpublishing.com

The Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher

2015 Brian Urlacher and Sean Jensen

ISBN 978-1-4245-4979-5 (hard cover)
ISBN 978-1-4245-5010-4 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Brian Urlacher is represented by Bryce Karger and Brenda Lundberg-Casey of Image Athlete Marketing.

Photograph of Brian Urlacher provided by The Chicago Bears. All rights reserved.

Illustrated by Max Smith

Cover and interior design by Garborg Design Works | garborgdesign.com

Editorial services provided by Ginger Garrett | gingergarrett.com

and Michelle Winger | literallyprecise.com

Printed in China

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

FOREWORD

It was the 1992 football season, and I was in my second season as the head coach at Lovington High School. I decided to go to a junior high game on a Thursday. I dont remember the opponent, but I do remember a scraggly freshman catching a long touchdown pass.

It wasnt that spectacular of a catch, probably like ones youve seen caught by typical 15-year-olds. This kid was like a hundred other young football players I had seen. I had heard he was a little taller and faster than average, but nothing really outstanding. Heck, I could barely pronounce his last name!

Brian URLACHER.

I didnt know how this young man would impact my life. He went from a scrawny ninth grader to the ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft in 2000making spectacular plays along the way.

Ive been asked a lot, When did you know Urlacher was going to be an NFL star?

I didnt.

But Brian had the characteristics it takes to succeed at the highest levelscharacteristics youll read about in this book. Brian developed physically, but his personal qualities are what also drove him to be a future Hall of Famer. He had work ethic, commitment, dedication, perseverance, and humility.

You can develop these same characteristics. A circle of support can help guide you, but ultimately it is up to you. Every young person who reads this book possesses the qualities Brian had. With a little help, you can achieve more than you think is possible.

I have often said the football field is a modern day rites of passage, where boys become men. Im proud to have been a small part of that development in Brian. I admire the incredible man he has becomeon and off the field. His love for his family is unsurpassed. His dedication to his children is unequivocal. His generosity to his friends and community is undeniable. His commitment to his teammates is unwavering.

Brian came from good stock. His mother, Lavoyda, was a special parent. She sacrificed to make sure Sheri, Brian, and Casey were taken care of. I liken Brian to one of my favorite quotes by Frank Lloyd Wright, No stream rises higher than its source.

Brian rose higha tribute to a mothers love and sacrifice.

Enjoy the book. Learn about Brian, his friends, and his family. But mostly, learn about yourself.

Coach Speedy Faith

Lovington High School

Dear Reader,

Thanks for picking up my story.

Looking back, I didnt spend much time thinking about what I didnt have, or what I couldnt do.

I learned that from my mother.

She often said two things: Get it done, and Dont make excuses.

Thats how I live and thats how I want my kids to live.

Whatever your circumstances, I hope you focus on the positives in your life and not the negatives.

Best wishes,

Table of Contents

I n sixth grade, Brian Urlacher was shy and small, just a kid trying to fit in at Taylor Middle School in Lovington, New Mexico. Brian tried to stay out of troubleuntil trouble found him.

Charles was one of his best buddies in elementary school, but he was annoyed at Brian. Brian couldnt figure out why, but that didnt matter in sixth grade.

So once the final school bell rang at 3:10 p.m., Brian bolted for homewith Charles in hot pursuit. Brian didnt like confrontation, let alone with Charles who was bigger and had facial hair!

I dont know how to fight, Brian thought. I just want to get home.

He zigzagged through the neighborhoodsticking close to 11th Streettoward his house on Avenue M about ten blocks south of the school. When Brian got home, panting and sweating, he slammed the front door shut and made a beeline for his bedroom.

After four or five days, Charles stopped chasing Brian home. Charles never told Brian why he was mad, but Brian realized middle school rules dont always make sense.

Later in the school year, Brian knew exactly what set another kid off.

Brian and Ty were on the same basketball team, and Brian thought Ty was being a ball hog.

Pass the ball! Pass the ball! his teammates shouted.

They got smoked in a game to 21.

After the loss, Brian complained, Maybe if someone wasnt playing one on five, we could have actually made it a game.

Ty, who had a reputation for being tough, didnt want to hear it. In the locker room, he climbed on top of Brian and punched him on the side of his head. Brian didnt want to fight, but he also didnt want to get hurt. He didnt know any karate and he didnt know how to box, so he did what came naturally: Brian pushed Ty off and then tackled him.

The force of Brians tackle knocked the wind out of Ty, who fell hard to the locker room floor. Just then, Mr. Dobbs entered and separated the boys. He sent both Ty and Brian to detention!

But he started it! Brian protested.

Didnt matter.

Brian had always stayed out of trouble, and he didnt know how his mother would react. But at dinnertime when they talked about the scuffle, she wasnt mad at him.

I dont want you kids starting fights, Brians mother said, but sometimes you have to end them.

The best part of sixth grade for Brian was finding his best friend, Brandon. The relationship was forged during lunchtime. After they ate, along with other boys, Brian and Brandon would play basketball or football, often against each other.

Basketball was their favorite sport. And while Brian was good, Brandon was great.

Even before Brian knew him, he recalled Brandon starring in Little Dribblers, the local rec program. Brandon was quick, he could shoot threesand he could dribble the ball with both hands! Plus, his uncle was Chief Bridgforth, the head coach of the high school varsity team.