By Brad Biggs
His release earlier Monday from the Chicago Bears did not come as a surprise to Hunter Hillenmeyer.
Off the record, the veteran linebacker said months ago that he expected the club to release him after the season. That's what happened when he was included in a news release along with defensive tackle Tommie Harris and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer.
Hillenmeyer was placed on injured reserve after Week 1 with concussion symptoms related to a head injury he suffered in preseason. Hillenmeyer has not passed a team physical yet and if head injuries lead to the end of his career, it will be interesting to see if he pursues the base salary of $1.8 million he had remaining on his contract for the 2011 season.
In an email to the Tribune, Hillenmeyer said, "I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Bears organization. I do not leave this franchise bitter or feeling slighted by anyone in the building. In truth, I've known this day was coming since I landed on IR back in September. In that conversation with Lovie (Smith), he acknowledged that having been made aware of my history, and the number of concussions I had sustained on his watch, that he could not be a part of forcing me back out on the field.
His release earlier Monday from the Chicago Bears did not come as a surprise to Hunter Hillenmeyer.
Off the record, the veteran linebacker said months ago that he expected the club to release him after the season. That's what happened when he was included in a news release along with defensive tackle Tommie Harris and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer.
Hillenmeyer was placed on injured reserve after Week 1 with concussion symptoms related to a head injury he suffered in preseason. Hillenmeyer has not passed a team physical yet and if head injuries lead to the end of his career, it will be interesting to see if he pursues the base salary of $1.8 million he had remaining on his contract for the 2011 season.
In an email to the Tribune, Hillenmeyer said, "I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Bears organization. I do not leave this franchise bitter or feeling slighted by anyone in the building. In truth, I've known this day was coming since I landed on IR back in September. In that conversation with Lovie (Smith), he acknowledged that having been made aware of my history, and the number of concussions I had sustained on his watch, that he could not be a part of forcing me back out on the field.
"While at the time I was frustrated with such an abrupt end to my
season, I have sought out and continue to seek the medical opinions of
the best doctors in country as it relates to brain health and
concussions. I am yet to find one that thinks it is a good idea to
continue playing football. In hindsight, that makes me grateful that
Lovie cared enough about me specifically, but really any player, to take
that decision away as it pertains to a medical issue.
"Barring some unforeseen turn of events, I don't think there was a set of circumstances where I would have been cleared to play next season anyway. The more we pull back the curtain on the long-term effects of head injury, the scarier it gets for players in my position, who have multiple diagnosed concussions and countless more 'dings' and headaches. On one hand, I feel lucky to have been relatively candid about my symptoms compared to some colleagues who do everything they can to conceal their struggles. I can only thank the Bears organization, from the trainers and the doctors up to Lovie and Jerry (Angelo), for trying to be proactive in the way concussions are handled. On the other hand, any player who tells you they aren't affected by the tragic stories like Dave Duerson's, that seem to be popping up all too often, are lying.
"I'd like to thank coach (Bob) Babich, my linebacker coach for most of my eight years here, for playing as integral a role as anyone in my development as a player. It's been an honor to play for such a professional staff and with such outstanding teammates. We had a very special group in our linebacker room. While I was always like Ringo of the Beatles, next to such a talented pair, I think we have had the best and deepest linebacking corps in the NFL for a long time. As long as Lance (Briggs) and Brian (Urlacher) are out there together, expect the Bear's defense to remain elite.
"While I won't be filing any retirement papers tomorrow, if I've played my last football game, I'm glad it was with the Bears. Even though I was drafted elsewhere, I have absolutely loved my time as Bear. I love the city, I love the culture; the fans here make it especially easy to feel very at home in Chicago. I think guys like me who spend all of their career here don't realize how good they've got it. It's been a great ride nonetheless."
"Barring some unforeseen turn of events, I don't think there was a set of circumstances where I would have been cleared to play next season anyway. The more we pull back the curtain on the long-term effects of head injury, the scarier it gets for players in my position, who have multiple diagnosed concussions and countless more 'dings' and headaches. On one hand, I feel lucky to have been relatively candid about my symptoms compared to some colleagues who do everything they can to conceal their struggles. I can only thank the Bears organization, from the trainers and the doctors up to Lovie and Jerry (Angelo), for trying to be proactive in the way concussions are handled. On the other hand, any player who tells you they aren't affected by the tragic stories like Dave Duerson's, that seem to be popping up all too often, are lying.
"I'd like to thank coach (Bob) Babich, my linebacker coach for most of my eight years here, for playing as integral a role as anyone in my development as a player. It's been an honor to play for such a professional staff and with such outstanding teammates. We had a very special group in our linebacker room. While I was always like Ringo of the Beatles, next to such a talented pair, I think we have had the best and deepest linebacking corps in the NFL for a long time. As long as Lance (Briggs) and Brian (Urlacher) are out there together, expect the Bear's defense to remain elite.
"While I won't be filing any retirement papers tomorrow, if I've played my last football game, I'm glad it was with the Bears. Even though I was drafted elsewhere, I have absolutely loved my time as Bear. I love the city, I love the culture; the fans here make it especially easy to feel very at home in Chicago. I think guys like me who spend all of their career here don't realize how good they've got it. It's been a great ride nonetheless."
you will be missed hunter
i only wish was that you could have played longer and won a ring best of luck
Yippee on February 28, 2011 9:53 PM
Well if Toby44 says so, it has to be true.
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It has nothing to do with me. Robbie, Hunter and the Bears players' union rep group are the ones saying it.
"While I won't be filing any retirement papers tomorrow, if I've played my last football game, I'm glad it was with the Bears."
This guy is still on the football juice -- denial and fantasy. Just retire, Mr. Rhodes Scholar.
What an awful, cynical sport/business football is -- selling beer and pick up trucks, making the owners rich, killing the workers... it would never be allowed in any other business or industry.
We'll always have the ball-punch on Adrian Peterson in OT. Best of luck, HH.
Thanks for the memories, Hunter! You are a class act, indeed. The NFL, and society, could use more men like you. I wish you well with your future and may the Lord bless you with good health.
Thanks for reminding us how a real Bear leaves...and showing us the class it takes to be a man. They gotta find a place for you on the staff...Coaching seems to be the next logical step.
All class. Thanks for everything, Hunter!
Hunter, not all who wear the uniform earn the right to be called a Bear. You were and always will be a Bear.
Hunter always did what was asked of him,especially during Urlachers absence.I agree with other posters here that a place should be found for him in the Bears organization.
Hunter, your rare grace and intelligence makes we sports fans a little less embarrassed about being the enablers for leagues full of ego-maniacal nitwits.
Good luck to you!
Well if Toby44 says so, it has to be true.
Hunter's work isn't done with the Bears yet. He is still part of the group representing the players in the negotiations with the owners. He told me yesterday that the sides are VERY close to agreement and there will be no impact on next season's moves. Look for a mediated resolution by week's end.
"it will be interesting to see if he pursues the base salary of $1.8 million he had remaining on his contract for the 2011 season."
Is this a trick question?
Class act! Good luck Hunter and hopefully you got out without your brains getting scrambled too much, as you're a smart guy!
Hunter is the kind of professional athlete you don't mind your son looking up to. Best wishes in the future Hunter, thanks for being such a good bear.
I love the parting words Hunter. And just like all of his players you gave a great word for Lovie. I let that alone stand as the showing of true respect that he gets from his players as opposed to the non-sense the fans say about him. God bless you in your future endeavors. (New Bears assistant with linebackers ehhhhhh!!!)
Class act. I hope they find a way to keep him in the family somewhere in the organization
Well said. All athletes should aspire to such grace and dignity. The Bears would be wise to hire him now and let his coaching career begin.
Class Act! Thanks Hunter
Hunter was and is a class act. It's hard not to feel bad for a guy who represented the Bears admirably on and off the field with heart, work ethic, and professionalism. We'll all remember the image of Hillenmeyer - filling in for Urlacher - knocking the ball out of Adrian Peterson's hands leading to the game-winning TD in 2009 against the Vikes.
Thanks for the memories, Hunter. Good luck!
He is truly a sportsman. He will be missed.
Class act.
As if there was any other way with Hunter.....