Bear Down: Remembering the best moments from Brian Urlacher's career

Matt Erickson Times Correspondent

To celebrate the Hall-of-Fame career of an all-time Bears great, we take a look back at the top five moments in Brian Urlacher's career — with four honorable mentions — for No. 54:

WR Crabtree tears right Achilles tendon

By JANIE McCAULEY

The San Francisco 49ers suddenly have a huge void in their receiving corps as they chase another Super Bowl berth: Michael Crabtree is sidelined after surgery on his right Achilles tendon.

Bears LB Urlacher announces his retirement

By ANDREW SELIGMAN

Brian Urlacher wasn't sure how dominant he could be any longer, so he's calling it a career after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.

Bears LB Urlacher announces retirement

Andrew Seligman Associated Press

CHICAGO | Brian Urlacher wasn't sure how dominant he could be any longer, so he's calling it a career after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.

Column: Play ball with Goodell and NFL _ or else

By JIM LITKE

The NFL is free to twist arms, just like anybody else. So maybe it's just coincidence that all five of the new stadiums that will come on line during Roger Goodell's brief tenure as NFL commissioner have now been awarded Super Bowls.

Bay Bowl: San Francisco to host 50th Super Bowl

By JIMMY GOLEN

Build a new stadium, host the Super Bowl to show it off.

Veteran DB Charles Woodson returns to Raiders

By JOSH DUBOW

Charles Woodson is coming back home to Oakland.

Indy poised to make 2018 bid for Super Bowl

Michael Marot AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | Now that the NFL has picked its two newest Super Bowl winners, San Francisco (2016) and Houston (2017), Indianapolis organizers can start making their pitch to host a second title game.

Romo active on field while idled over cyst removal

By SCHUYLER DIXON

Tony Romo pointed here and there, showing receiver Dez Bryant the best way to use a block on the first day of offseason practice.

The 50th Super Bowl goes to San Francisco Bay Area

Barry Wilner AP Pro Football Writer

BOSTON | The 50th Super Bowl will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area and the NFL championship will go to Houston the following year.

NFL, Xbox enhancing interactive television viewing

By BARRY WILNER

Imagine Sean Payton holding up a Surface tablet instead of a cardboard playsheet on the sideline.

NFL, Xbox enhancing interactive television viewing

By BARRY WILNER

The NFL and Microsoft, through its next generation Xbox console, are combining to enhance interactive TV viewing of pro football games.

Te'o off-limits to media but not Maxim party

By BERNIE WILSON

Manti Te'o isn't hiding out. He's just not talking to the media.

Police: Guns, cash stolen from Ray Rice's Md. home

Police say the Maryland home of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was burglarized over the weekend, and $2,000 and two guns were stolen.

West Side's Johnson commits to Ohio State for football

Steve Hanlon steve.hanlon@nwi.com, (219) 933-4198

The courtship lasted awhile, but the date with destiny for West Side wide receiver Lonnie Johnson and Ohio State was confirmed.

Bills DE Williams says texts taken out of context

By JOHN WAWROW

Mario Williams refused to be labeled as someone who was emotionally unstable in dismissing questions about his mental state raised by a series of text messages from his former fiancee.

Ex-NFL WR Johnson arrested on probation violation

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson has been arrested on charges that he violated probation stemming from an altercation with his now ex-wife, TV reality star Evelyn Lozada.

Football player Daryl Washington pleads not guilty

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, who authorities have said is the mother of his baby daughter.

Chargers, Freeney agree to 2-year deal

By BERNIE WILSON

The San Diego Chargers agreed Saturday to a two-year deal with aging star pass rusher Dwight Freeney that could be worth $13.35 million.

Jets' Goodson facing drug, weapons charges

New York Jets running back Mike Goodson is facing drug and weapons charges after he was found in a car with an acquaintance early Friday morning on Interstate 80 in New Jersey.

Seahawks DE Bruce Irvin suspended 4 games

By TIM BOOTH

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season on Friday after the league announced he violated the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Woodson says he's look for fit in Raiders visit

By LARRY LAGE

Charles Woodson pushed back a visit to Oakland to pursue a reunion with the Raiders because extending his career in the NFL isn't his only mission.

Bills promote Whaley to take over as GM

By JOHN WAWROW

Doug Whaley was promoted to take over as Buffalo Bills general manager, making the team's near top-to-bottom offseason overhaul complete.

Alex Smith already becoming leader of Chiefs

By DAVE SKRETTA

It hasn't taken long for Alex Smith to become the leader of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Woman sues Eagles' McCoy, claiming assault on bus

A woman has sued Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, claiming he or a body guard hit her, threw a drink at her and tossed her off a party bus on the New Jersey Turnpike last December.

Ravens LB McClain retires before playing with team

Linebacker Rolando McClain has told the Baltimore Ravens that he's retiring from the NFL.

Broncos' Holliday hoping for a bigger role in 2013

By ARNIE STAPLETON

Trindon Holliday quickly put his historic playoff performance behind him just as he did all those gasping defenders scattered in his wake.

Former Saints, Chargers RB Chuck Muncie dead at 60

By BRETT MARTEL

Chuck Muncie, a Pro Bowl running back with both the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers, has died at age 60, the NFL clubs and a family spokesman said Tuesday.

Pick 6: Signature images of NFL stadiums

By DAVE CAMPBELL

When the Minnesota Vikings unveiled the design of their new stadium, they introduced another attention-grabbing image to the NFL's stadium collection: The see-through roof.

Vikings see the light with design of new stadium

By DAVE CAMPBELL

Opening the roof over the new home of the Minnesota Vikings would have forced planners of the $975 million project to eliminate some of the fancy features.

Buddy Nix steps down as Bills GM

By JOHN WAWROW

Not getting any younger and confident he's put in place a young foundation capable of turning the Buffalo Bills into a winner, Buddy Nix called this the right time to step down as general manager on Monday.

Jags' Blackmon blames problems on poor decisions

By MARK LONG

Justin Blackmon pinned his problems on his decisions.

Steelers Hall of Famer Jack Butler dies at 85

By WILL GRAVES

Jack Butler, who helped revolutionize the way cornerbacks played in the NFL during his Hall of Fame career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died Saturday after a lengthy battle with a staph infection. He was 85.

Top Bears pick Long has school to wrap up

The Associated Press

LAKE FOREST | The Bears' draft picks have plenty of obstacles to overcome in the next few months while trying to fit onto the roster.

Bears Super Bowl champion receiver Willie Gault makes a local appearance

John Burbridge john.burbridge@nwi.com, (219) 933-3371

SCHERERVILLE | By the multitude of record covers he signed, you could have mistaken Bears Super Bowl champion receiver Willie Gault as more of a pop music star than a football player.

Jets' Aboushi a rare Palestinian-American in NFL

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.

The congratulatory messages flooded Oday Aboushi's Twitter page for a few days after he was drafted by the New York Jets two weeks ago.

Tim Tebow appears at lecture, but no word on plans

By JEFF PARROTT

Eleven days after he was cut by the New York Jets, Tim Tebow's future plans remain up in the air.

Ravens get C Shipley from Colts for draft pick

The Baltimore Ravens acquired center A.Q. Shipley from the Indianapolis Colts for a conditional 2014 draft pick.

Ronde Barber to retire after 16 seasons with Bucs

By The Associated Press

Three-time All-Pro Ronde Barber is retiring after a 16-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that included a Super Bowl title and five Pro Bowl appearances.

49ers reach stadium naming rights deal with Levi's

The future home of the San Francisco 49ers will be called Levi's Stadium.

Underwood to sing 'Sunday Night Football' theme

Carrie Underwood will take over the theme song for "Sunday Night Football," with NBC sticking to the formula of a female country music star for its intro.

Giants owner Mara confident Cruz will sign

New York Giants owner John Mara says progress is slow but steady in the contract negotiations between the team and Pro Bowl wide receiver Victor Cruz.

Kluwe says he's been released by Vikings

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

The Vikings released punter Chris Kluwe on Monday, bringing an end to his colorful and outspoken eight-year stay in Minnesota.

Steelers rookie LB Jarvis Jones settling in

By WILL GRAVES

Jarvis Jones is not James Harrison. For one thing, there's the hair.

Draft was light on glamour, heavy on intrigue

ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer

Minnesota went all in with three first-round picks.

Bears add linebacker, tackle with final draft picks

Associated Press

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | The Bears knew they needed help at linebacker and on the offensive line, so it was no coincidence they doubled up their efforts at those spots on Saturday's final day of the NFL draft.