By GLEN ROSALES
Former New Mexico and Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher waves to the crowd as his jersey number is retired during a halftime ceremony at an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Brian Urlacher
Former New Mexico and Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher waves to the cheering crowd as his jersey number is retired during a halftime ceremony at an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Air Force New Mexico Football
Fans cheer as former New Mexico and Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher has his jersey number retired during a halftime ceremony at an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Brian Urlacher
Former New Mexico and Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher pauses on the field as his jersey number is retired during a halftime ceremony at an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Brian Urlacher, Paul Krebs
Former New Mexico and Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher, left, stands next to New Mexico Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs as Krebs points to the press box area where Urlacher’s name and number is displayed as his jersey number is retired during a halftime ceremony at an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Brian Urlacher, Marvin Lamy
Former New Mexico and Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher, left, signs Marvin Lamy’s Urlacher jersey prior to Urlacher’s jersey number retired during a halftime ceremony at an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Brian Urlacher
Former New Mexico and Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher gives a thumbs up as his jersey number is retired during a halftime ceremony at an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Brian Urlacher
A special permanent locker is set up in the New Mexico football team locker room for former player Brian Urlacher, who also played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, prior to an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. Urlacher’s jersey number is set to be retired during a halftime ceremony. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Brian Urlacher, Bob Davie
Former New Mexico and Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher, middle, addresses the current New Mexico team with head coach Bob Davie, left, on the field prior to an NCAA college football game against the Air Force on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico retired former Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher’s No. 44 jersey at halftime of the Lobos’ 45-37 victory over Air Force on Friday night.
The crowd of almost 22,000 people stood and cheered when the red banner lifted and “44 Brian Urlacher” showed up on the ring of honor at University Stadium. The Lobos also retired his locker, enclosing it in glass with his uniform inside.
“It’s a big deal,” said Urlacher, from the small New Mexico town of Lovington. “There’s a lot of people from my hometown that came up here to watch this and be a part of it. So I’m very excited and honored to have this chance to do this.”
Urlacher was a standout defensive back from 1996-99 at New Mexico, where he was a first-team All-America selection and a Jim Thorpe Award finalist. He played linebacker for the Bears, retiring after last season.
“I came a long ways form Lovington,” Urlacher said. “I got to college at 195 pounds and I got to be 245 when I was done. I started growing, getting bigger, faster and when I was a junior I started getting on the radar for the scouts.”
The game was his second at New Mexico since he left school, and Friday night was the first time he had been back on the field.
“It was cool to be down there again,” Urlacher said. “I came back in ’06 but I didn’t get a chance to do that so this was pretty cool. It was a good turnout tonight and the boys are playing good.”
He’s relaxing after leaving the NFL.
“I’m just trying to find something to do with my time,” Urlacher said. “I have a lot of free time now, which is great. Family time. I don’t miss the game. I’ve said that the whole time. I don’t miss the game. I miss my teammates.”
