Former Chicago Bears Linebacker Brian Urlacher Presents Check to Coal City Football Team

Photo: Brian Urlacher poses for a photo with the Coal City High School football team. (Screenshot via Chicago Bears YouTube video)

The Coal City High School football team knew they were going to be presented with a check to help with the cost of damage received in a June tornado, but they had no idea who exactly would be giving it to them.

Former Chicago Bears Middle Linebacker Brian Urlacher surprised the players and coaches when he showed up Aug. 24 to give them a check for $50,000, according to chicagobears.com.

The money will be used to repair the school’s athletic fields and scoreboard.

“The scoreboard was completely wiped out, the fences were damaged and the goal posts had to be replaced,” a YouTube video showing Urlacher’s visit said.

In the video, Urlacher said high school football is a chance to just have fun outside of the pressures of college football and the NFL.

“High school is just fun,” Urlacher said. “You just go out there, you fly around, you’re with your buddies. In college, you’re stuck with guys you may not know, same with the NFL. You get to meet them, you get to know them more as time goes on, but in high school you probably know everyone of your teammates. You’re all good buddies. Enjoy it. Just have fun.”

While there, Urlacher saw first hand the strength of not just the football team, but the city, too.

“It’s amazing how fast they rebuilt some of these houses,” he said in the YouTube video. “There’s still some stuff with tarps on, but they’re getting it put back together pretty quick.”

Coal City High School student and football player Matthew Norton said he was surprised by Urlacher’s appearance.

“I did not expect Brian Urlacher to come today,” Norton said. “It was an awesome surprise.”

Urlacher was with the Chicago Bears from 2000 until 2012.