The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears share one of the longest, most bitter rivalries in NFL history. But, that doesn't mean there isn't a great deal of mutual respect between the teams.
Upon hearing the news of linebacker Brian Urlacher's retirement, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers told "The Jim Rome Show" on Thursday that the Chicago Bears middle linebacker was his "favorite player to play against."
"I just have the utmost amount of respect for him, the way he plays the game," Rodgers told Rome on Wednesday. "A lot of memories come to mind. He picked me off a couple times, maybe more than anybody else has. But I had one really bad play in the NFC Championship [after the] 2010 season and was able to somehow grab his knee/thigh area enough to trip him up for a tackle [and prevent a touchdown]. One of my favorite memories going against Brian.
"But the thing I loved about going against Brian was the conversation between plays, between series, during TV timeouts. I just have a ton of respect for him and wish him nothing but the best. I'll miss him out there."
Both Rodgers and Urlacher have spent their entire careers with their respected franchises. The NFC North rivals have met twice a year since Rodgers took over starting duties for Brett Favre in 2008.
The Bears have produced their fair share of all-time greats from the linebacker position, including Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary. The team took out full-page ads in Chicago newspapers Friday to thank Urlacher for his 13 seasons with the franchise.
"Few play for a storied franchise. Even fewer write their own chapter. Thanks, Brian," the ad in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times read.
Urlacher was an eight-time pro bowler and a five-time all-pro. In 2005, he was named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. During his rookie season, Urlacher was named the 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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