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Urlacher remembers roots en route to Super Bowl
Alex Brandon/Associated Press
Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher basks in the afterglow as the former University of New Mexico standout holds the George Halas trophy. Urlacher will be making his first trip to the Super Bowl after the Bears' 39-14 victory over New Orleans in Sunday's NFC championship at Chicago.
Urlacher's Legacy
Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher, a native New Mexican, has shared his wealth. Here's a look at some of the donations he has made to his home state:
Lovington High School
Reached deal with Nike to pay for the Lovington football team's shoes beginning in 2000.
Donated $40,000 for a weight room complex, which is now named the Brian Urlacher Training Center.
Extended deal with Nike this year, providing shoes for all varsity sports.
Organizes and participates in charity basketball game held in Lovington the past three years.
Brought Nike crews to Lovington to film series of commercials honoring his high school and hometown.
University of New Mexico
Made a donation of about $1 million for the Lobos' indoor practice facility.
When Urlacher joined the ownership of a local arena football franchise, the group's first charitable donation was a $10,000 gift to the UNM Lobo Club earmarked to support the Lobos football program.
Holds annual summer camps at UNM.
Praises the Lobos and New Mexico regularly in interviews.
Returns for various UNM football speaking events and games.
State of New Mexico
Joined partnership that owns the Albuquerque metro area Arena Football 2 expansion franchise.
Chairman of the expansion franchise's charitable foundation.
Donated $23,500 he won during Wheel of Fortune's NFL Players Week to Special Olympics of New Mexico in 2002.
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Long before the world knew Brian Urlacher, Lovington High School football coach Jaime Quinones knew he was special.
As Urlacher's stock was rising at the University of New Mexico and it was clear he was destined for great things, Qui¤ones shared one bit of wisdom with the native New Mexican.
"I told Brian, `You don't owe us anything,'" Quinones said. "`You came to Lovington High, and our job was to get you an education. You went on to UNM, and it was their responsibility to do same thing.'"
"I knew a lot of people were going to be asking him for things and wanted him to know we were just proud of him and didn't expect anything in return."
Urlacher, however, has done a lot of things in return.
He has maintained a close bond with his hometown of Lovington and the University of New Mexico, where he was a consensus All-American in 1999.
Urlacher's donations, big and small, made for an especially sweet celebration throughout the state of New Mexico when the Chicago Bears beat the New Orleans Saints 39-14 in the NFC Championship game on Sunday afternoon, punching Urlacher's first ticket to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLI is Feb. 4 in Miami. Game time is 4 p.m. on KRQE News 13.
"It's a real neat thing," UNM head football coach Rocky Long said. "I think that every chance he gets, he shows pride in the university that he came from and the state that he came from. He let's everybody know he's from here and lets us all be a part of his success."
Urlacher, an All-Pro middle linebacker and last season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, chipped in four tackles as the Bears defense shut down the Saints.
"It was amazing and really humbling to watch," said Quinones, who was an assistant coach when Urlacher was in school but now is Lovington's head coach.
"I told my wife I couldn't believe that a player I coached was going to the Super Bowl. It's amazing."
Former UNM football player and Minnesota Vikings rookie Ryan Cook said it was inspiring to see Urlacher earn a spot in the Super Bowl.
Cook, Hank Baskett (Philadelphia Eagles) and Terrance Pennington (Buffalo Bills) all finished their eligibility at UNM in 2005 and completed their rookie seasons with considerable NFL playing time under their belts.
"It's great to see someone from New Mexico make it to the Super Bowl," Cook said. "He laid the foundation for guys like Hank, Terrance and me. He made sure people respected New Mexico, and now we have to keep that going.
"He let us know a lot of great things were possible if we worked hard."
While Urlacher's feats on the field are impressive, Quinones said he is more moved by Urlacher's decision to give back to his home state.
Some of his bigger donations include $40,000 for a Lovington High weight room, an agreement with Nike to provide all Lovington varsity sports with shoes and about $1 million for a UNM indoor practice facility.
"He's such a great person and one of the kindest human beings I've ever met," Quinones said. "He has never forgotten his roots."
