Double Or Nothing Urlacher Encounter

It's not everyday you get to meet your childhood hero.

Typically when anyone asks me why I am a fan of the Chicago Bears, I would typically answer that I am a Chicagoan.

When former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher asked me the same question, the answer was a little different.

I told him that he was the reason I was a Bears fan and then complimented him on his playing. It was an honest answer.

Growing up in the 90's, it was all about the Michael Jordan led Bulls, who brought Chicago six Larry O'Brien championship trophies.

When Jordan retired for his second time in 1998, sure we had other teams in other sports to root for, but I wasn't a huge fan of the Bears or football until I saw Urlacher play. My exact words were, "Man! That big white boy can hit!"

In my opinion he was one of the best middle linebackers of the modern era, so when I saw that he would be in Great Falls, I knew I had to make the trip.

Worried about the financial aspect of the six hour round trip plus 85 dollars for a ticket to the banquet, I started to disregard the event thinking it wouldn't be worth it. Besides what if he was a jerk?

About a few weeks later, one day before Urlacher was in town, I had received a text from KRTV's Tom Wylie that there was going to be a press conference at 3:30 p.m. at the Heritage Inn.

I had ruled out the banquet upon realizing I would have to drive home super late, but when I told my wife Susan about the press conference, she pushed me to go, saying I may regret it if I didn't. Mark Hebert, our editor didn't blame me for taking the day off to meet my hero.

So, the next morning I took off to Great Falls in hopes of catching the press conference, which would get me home at a decent hour.

The drive was a nervous one, but once I got to the room I noticed there weren't many chairs, which meant only a few reporters would be there.

There was only myself and several other reporters present.

He entered the room and approached the conference backwards, which was strange... Then he turned around with a smile, showing a sense of humor.

As it turns out, this would be his first press conference since he was a Bear in 2012.

He answered the questions politely, with poise and with a sense of humor at times.

I went into the conference, not expecting to ask any questions, but I got a question in or two.

Being a sports fan, I have seen many press conferences on TV, but being in one is a completely different thing.

In my head, I was freaking out! Not only was Brian Urlacher looking at me, he was answering my question in depth.

My first question during the interview was if he was going to expand on his coaching career after he is finished coaching his son through flag football.

He responded, saying that he had no interest, mostly because of the enormous hours his former coaches worked. (90 hours a week.)

My second question was one about Chicago's defense switching from a 4-3 (four lineman, three linebacker) front to a 3-4 front (three lineman, four linebackers).

He said he knew that new Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will do a great job coaching the new look defense.

After the conference, I went up to grab my recorder, which was placed in front of him. I went in for a handshake.

He then asked me why I was a Chicago bears fan (upon seeing I was the only guy in the room in a Bears T-shirt), I responded that it was because of him. I told him I really admired the swagger he brought with him to Chicago. I loved the hard hits and toughness he brought back to the team.

Then I asked for a picture with him. And then an autograph. Then another. Then I explained that I was from Bolingbrook (a southwestern suburb of Chicago.)

Apparently one of his sons played there, which I had no idea about, because I went to Romeoville High.

I know Urlacher has gotten a bad rep for being harsh, blunt and honest to a fault to the media, but I found him engaging and a nice guy -- which is something I will share with all who will listen.

He has always been my favorite defender in the NFL and now when I can tell my son I met him, I can only remember good things about meeting him.

So after I said bye the first time, I got to my car and realized that my recorder was still upstairs. Embarrassed, I walked over to him again in an attempt to ask him the same getting to know you questions that I do in the PCN's "In the Spotlight."

I would never get the opportunity as a few of the coaching staff from the MSU Bobcats were chatting away.

After they ended the conversation, I knew I had missed my shot.

I know a few Bears fans from Phillips County would have loved to learn what Urlacher's favorite meal consists of, or his favorite hobby (It sounded like deep sea fishing), or his favorite movie and song is, but I have failed you. I was close though. Real close.

I wanted to ask him a question that included advice for our young Mustangs that would want to play professionally, someone beat me to it.

He said if you can play, they'll find you.

He would know. He is from Pasco, WA, was raised in Lovington, New Mexico (a town of 11,009), went to the University of New Mexico and was still the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft. He went on to become the NFL Rookie of the Year, was the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year and led the Bears to the Superbowl in 2006. He was also voted to the Pro Bowl eight times.