The NFL Hall of Fame announced the modern-era finalists for Class of 2020 on Thursday, but there’s someone that wasn’t too happy with the list.
Bears Hall-of-Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher expressed his disappointment in the finalists that didn’t include two of his former teammates in linebacker Lance Briggs and center Olin Kreutz.
Congrats to the 2020 Hall of Fame finalist. There are two names that should be on the list that aren’t. @LanceBriggs @olin_kreutz They deserve to be on there! #bears #gotscrewed #hof #boogie #OGK
— Brian Urlacher (@BUrlacher54) January 4, 2020
Briggs ended his 12-year Bears career with 16 interceptions, five defensive touchdowns, seven fumble recoveries, 16 forced fumbles, 15 sacks and seven Pro Bowls.
“He elevated not only my game but the entire defense — his enthusiasm was contagious,” Urlacher said in his Hall of Fame induction speech. “We’ll be back here in a couple years for your induction, ‘Big Time.'”
In his 13 seasons with the Bears, Kreutz was a six-time Pro Bowler and was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2000’s second team. He holds the record for most games played by an offensive lineman in Chicago.
“Olin Kreutz is the epitome of a Hall of Famer,” former Bears running back Thomas Jones tweeted last March. “One of the most talented and ferocious interior lineman to ever play the game. The definition of a football player. This man needs to be in Canton now!”
Briggs and Kretuz were among the 122 modern-era nominees, but both failed to make the semifinalist cut in November. Still, Urlacher made it clear that he believes both Briggs and Kreutz belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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