College Football

Legacy of Brian Urlacher’s No. 44 jersey at UNM

Legacy of Brian Urlacher’s No. 44 jersey at UNM

Brian Keith Urlacher was born on May 25, 1978, in Pasco, Washington. His parents divorced when he was only seven years old, which led his mother to move him, his brother, and his sister to Lovington, New Mexico to be close to her parents.

He attended Lovington High School and starred as a linebacker, wide receiver, running back, and return specialist as he led the Lovington Wildcats to a 14-0 record and a Class 3A State Championship while catching 61 passes for 15 TDs, returning 4 punts and 2 kickoffs for TDs, and rushing for 2 more TDs.

While in Lovington, Urlacher learned about the value of hard work from his mother, Lavoyda Lynne Lenard.

When we first moved to Lovington, we had nothing. No, that’s not true. We had each other. But when we first moved there, my mom didn’t have a job. Not to worry, though. My mother was the hardest-working person I’ve ever known. She always found a way to provide for the three of us, even if that meant working three jobs at a time, from cleaning houses to being a grocery store clerk. She was never too proud to take a job if it meant she would be able to provide for us.

I believe there’s a misconception that I grew up with privilege or I had it easy. Quite the opposite, actually. I began working when I was 12 years old, pushing my lawnmower around town mowing yards. I later on worked in the oil fields of Lovington. When I went off to college, a lumberyard an Albuquerque. My mother definitely taught me the importance of learning my way.

After graduating from Lovington, Urlacher signed with New Mexico where he starred as a wide receiver, linebacker, free safety and punt/kick returner. As a senior, he earned First Team All-America selections from Walter Camp, Football Writers Association of America and the Associated Press. He was a second-team choice by The Sporting News and Football News.

His great play as a Lobo led to Urlacher being selected as the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears….

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