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Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said he doesn’t care if fans didn’t like him congratulating Houston Texans safety Danieal Manning after Manning intercepted Bears quarterback Jay Cutler last Sunday.
Urlacher and Manning are former teammates. Manning played for the Bears from 2006-2010. Cameras showed Urlacher shaking hands with his former teammate after the pick.
“That was a nice play,” Urlacher said on “The Waddle & Silvy Show.” “I could give a crap about what people think on the street. Get mad at me all you want. I could give a crap about what people say. Danieal Manning is a friend of mine, he was a teammate for five or six years, and that’s the way it is. He made a catch and was running toward the sideline to say something to Coach, so I walked out there.”
On the one hand, you might consider the handshake to be fraternizing with the enemy. On the other hand, you might call it good sportsmanship.
“The guy had a good game, he caused a fumble, had a pick, Urlacher said. “He’s my friend. I wish he wouldn’t have caught it, but he did, so nice play to you. I don’t give a crap about what fans or people say. They can kiss my butt. I don’t care.”
The Texans beat the Bears, 13-6. That’s what makes the handshake so controversial.
Urlacher believes his friends become enemies on the field during play — but in between plays, he has no intention of being “a jerk.”
“When the play is over, it’s over,” Urlacher said. “It’s not like I have to go out there and be a jerk to him because it’s during the game and I’m a tough guy. That’s not the way it is. They’re my friends. Between the whistles I’m going to try and get them, and when the play is over we’ll go back to doing whatever.”
“It’s just dumb that people think that. ‘Why did you help that guy up after you tackled him?’ Because, I wanted to. What’s the big deal? ‘Butkus would have never done that.’ Well, I’m not Dick Butkus. I’m Brian Urlacher, and sometimes I help people up. Sorry if that (ticks) you off.”
Original Story:
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November 13, 2012
