JJC Sends Prayers, Condolences, and Jersey to Urlacher

Chicago Bears star middle linebacker Brian Urlacher had his mother, Lavoyda Lenard, suddenly pass away at her home in Texas this week. She was 51. Urlacher was excused from the team during the middle of the week and three days after her death he returned to Halas Hall Wednesday in preparation for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Urlacher released a statement through the Bears stating, "My first priority right now is to be with my family as we mourn her loss and make arrangements to lay her to rest."

Football is often referred to as a fraternity of families and typically for football players and coaches throughout our great country we have two families in our life  ...our immediate family and our football family. Whether football or immediate both families help cope with tragedies and personal adversity all the time.

I'm sure as much as Brian's first priority is his immediate family this week there was probably also a part of him that needed to get back to his football family support group as well.

Coach Lovie Smith told ChicagoBears.com, "I'm lucky to be his coach, but our relationship goes further than that. I lost my mother earlier this year. One of the first guys on the telephone with me was Brian."

Throughout the country I'm sure everyone is sending out their condolences and prayers, but locally Joliet Junior College and the JJC Football program has reached out personally to Brian Urlacher to send their thoughts and prayers to the seven- time Pro Bowler.

Wolves Head football Coach Jeremy Richardson and the faculty at Joliet Community College are sending a signed jersey to the Bears captain letting him know their prayers and condolences are definitely with him and his family. "One Love, One Goal, One Family" is a common frequently used phrase within the Wolves locker room every season.

Coach Richardson and faculty thought it would be a nice gesture and the best way to show local support to help Urlacher get through this extremely tough situation.

Urlacher is the emotional leader of the Bears and I think all Bears fans plus the entire city of Chiacgo recognize the emotional burden this will have on one of Chicago's most respected athletes. I think JJC's gesture is completely first class and Brian Urlacher will play on Sunday against the Saints like a man possessed honoring his mother with every snap, hit, and tackle.

It is easy to imagine Brian playing with more than is usual level of emotion. Her private funeral is Saturday in New Mexico and when he steps on the field Sunday expect to see vintage Urlacher in full effect.

Although the grief inside will be hard to see through the shoulder pads and helmet, the city of Chicago and Joliet Community College sends our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to you and yours #54.

Coach C -