Brian Urlacher Retires: Former Chicago Bears Linebacker Retiring From NFL After 13 Seasons

One of the most beloved players in the long and storied history of the Chicago Bears is calling it quits.

Recently completing his 13^th season in the National Football League, Brian Urlacher announced Wednesday morning that he will retire from the game rather than sign on with another organization through free agency.

Playing each of his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, the 34-year-old Urlacher let football fans everywhere know the time for him to remove himself from the gridiron is now, posting multiple messages on his personal Twitter page.

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"Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance of passion that's up to my standards," Urlacher wrote. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13 year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear."

The former University of New Mexico superstar also noted how much the Bears organization meant to him throughout his long and extremely productive career.

Selected with the ninth pick in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Bears, Urlacher had an immediate impact on the franchise, registering 125 total tackles during his rookie campaign while also recording 8 sacks and 2 interceptions.

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An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Brian Urlacher was selected to 5 All-Pro teams and the 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie squad. Named to the NFL 2000's All-Decade Team, the Pasco, Washington native earned himself the AP's Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2005.

Unable to come to a new contract agreement with the Bears shortly after the completion of the 2012-2013 season, Chicago and the middle linebacker parted ways, prompting the organization to praise the career of Urlacher even though he'd never grace the field again in a Bears uniform.

"Over the last 13 years Brian Urlacher has been an outstanding player, teammate, leader and face of our franchise," Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said on the team's website. "He embodies the same characteristics displayed by the Bears all-time greats who played before him and he will eventually join many of them in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We thank Brian for all he has given our team and our city."

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In 13 professional seasons, Urlacher recorded a total of 1,353 combined tackles, 41 ½ sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 22 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. As one of the greatest players in Chicago Bears history, it won't take long for Chi-town to honor their legendary linebacker who will undoubtedly one day wind up in the Professional Football Hall of Fame.