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Brian Urlacher takes dig at NBA players over playoffs boycott, upset fans say he ‘missed the BLM memo’

The former Bears linebacker made a snide remark at the NBA players’ boycott of games by comparing it to Packers legend Brett Favre who starred for the Packers in 2003, beating the Raiders, the day after his father died of a heart attack

On Thursday, August 27, former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher made a snide remark at the NBA players’ boycott of games by comparing it to a Packers legend’s performance. On August 26 the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted Game 5 against the Orlando Magic to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Later, on Wednesday night, the NBA postponed all playoff games. Even the WNBA postponed its games. 

Urlacher compared this to former NFL Quarterback Brett Favre, who starred for the Packers on December 23, 2003, beating the Raiders on “Monday Night Football” the day after his father, Irvin, died of a heart attack.

“Brett Favre played the MNF game the day his dad died, threw 4 TDs in the first half and was a legend for playing in the face of adversity,” Urlacher wrote in his Instagram Story. “NBA players boycott the playoffs because a dude reaching for a knife, wanted on [a] felony sexual assault warrant, was shot by police.”

Along with this comment, as per a report in FTW, Urlacher also allegedly liked a post on Instagram in support of 17-year-old shooter Kyle Rittenhouse, the suspect in the Kenosha fatal shooting. Rittenhouse has since been arrested in his hometown of Antioch, Illinois, and charged with first-degree murder.

It’s worth noting that the Bears joined in the NBA players’ protest of Jacob Blake’s shooting on Thursday, saying they would not practice. As per reports, a few coaches and players milled about practice fields before 9 a.m., but it quickly became clear the team was not planning to practice. Other NFL teams that canceled or postponed practices Thursday include the Broncos, Colts, Jets, Packers, Cardinals, Titans, Broncos and Washington.

On Twitter, Urlacher’s statement caused massive outrage. “Brian Urlacher this one hurts idk how long it's gonna take or if I’ll ever get over this but right now this one hurts @BUrlacher54,” wrote a fan on Twitter, sharing a video of them unpinning a Urlacher poster and trashing it. 

Another Twitter user noted, “Brian Urlacher (not surprisingly) misses the whole point. The death of Brett Favre’s Dad was an unfortunate incident. NBA players are not protesting a single incident in Wisconsin. They are protesting the systemic racism that exists in America. Urlacher missed the BLM memo.”

Another wrote, "It was nice of Brian Urlacher to let every Black teammate he ever played with know their lives aren't worth s***. Also, FYI, the knife was found after he'd been shot. The cops who shot him didn't know about, or see, it. Also, cops are supposed to arrest, not kill, people."

A Twitter user wrote, “Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher showing his former teammates his true colors. That locker room ain't as anti-racist as coaches and players like to romanticize it to be.”

On March 13, Urlacher met President Donald Trump in the Oval Office and called it a “once in a lifetime experience”. He wrote on Instagram, “This was a once in a lifetime experience! Got to hang in the Oval Office with President Trump and my family. He could not have been any nicer or accommodating to all of us. Also thanks to Jeff and Nick for the amazing tour of the WH.”