Brian Urlacher: The Mind Behind the Monster of the Midway

The Dr. Phil Podcast

Dr. Phil McGraw

Mental Health, Self-improvement, Society & Culture, Education, Health & Fitness

4.4 • 13.2K Ratings

🗓️ 10 December 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Brian Urlacher is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, a fierce competitor, a Chicago icon, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But behind the fame and ferocity is a deeper psychological story. Today, Dr. Phil talks with the man behind the pads to uncover how a childhood marked by instability, a hardworking mother, and a dedicated stepfather shaped the drive that made him great. Urlacher opens up about being overlooked as a young athlete, transforming rejection into fuel, and the leadership mindset that made him the heart of the Chicago Bears.

Connect with Brian:

Website: https://urlacher54.com/

X: @BUrlacher54 https://x.com/BUrlacher54?lang=en/

Insta: @54urlacher https://www.instagram.com/54urlacher/

FB: @OfficialBrianUrlacher https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBrianUrlacher/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Well, I want you to take a break and get ready to enjoy a conversation.
0:15.0	I'm talking with a man whose reputation was built on bone-crushing hits and fearless leadership, but whose real
0:24.6	strength come from places far off the football field. Brian Erlacker wasn't handed greatness.
0:32.1	He earned it. Raised by a mother who juggled three jobs and still showed up to every game.
0:39.3	He was not expected to be a Hall of Famer, but he turned every slight in his life into fuel.
0:47.3	Now, I'll tell you straight up, this is not a football story.
0:52.3	Today we're talking about identity, purpose, and what happens when the cheers fade and the game is over.
1:02.2	This is Brian Erlacker, the human story of rising to greatness, rebuilding and refusing to stop moving forward.
1:13.2	Brian, welcome.
1:14.3	How you doing?
1:15.6	Hello, Dr. Phil.
1:16.4	I'm doing well.
1:16.8	Thanks for having me on.
1:17.3	I appreciate it.
1:18.5	Well, I'm really glad to talk to you today.
1:22.4	I will confess that I've been a fan for a long, long time.
1:27.8	I appreciate it.
1:28.7	It's mutual.
1:29.4	Thank you.
1:30.0	I've been watching you since New Mexico.
1:32.8	So it's great to sit down and talk to you.
1:36.3	And for people that don't know, if we've got some women, for example, that may not be football fans,
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 23 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Dr. Phil McGraw, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Dr. Phil McGraw and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.