Bears great Brian Urlacher picks Bob Babich as Hall of Fame presenter

Bob Babich, the ex-Bears assistant who coached Brian Urlacher from 2004 to 2012, will introduce the former linebacker when he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

Urlacher made his decision public Monday, becoming the last of the Hall’s inductees to name his presenter. Babich will put the Hall’s gold jacket on Urlacher on Aug. 3, the night before enshrinement, and be featured in a video presentation the next day. He’ll be with Urlacher when his bronze bust is unveiled.

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Shortly after he was voted into the Hall on his first try on Feb. 3, Urlacher listed three finalists for the honorary role: former Bears coach Lovie Smith; Dick Jauron’s former defensive coordinator, Greg Blache; and Babich.

Babich coached the Bears’ linebackers from 2004 to 2006, earning the title of assistant head coach in his third season before being promoted to defensive coordinator for the next three years. When Rod Marinelli was named coordinator in 2010, Babich continued coaching Bears linebackers until Smith was fired after the 2012 season.

“I am so humbled by the offer that Brian gave me to present him,” Babich, who is entering his second season as the Bills’ linebackers coach, said in a Hall release. “He is such a good guy and was such a good player, but even more so than that, he was a great person to be around.”

Urlacher was the face of a menacing Bears defense, earning defensive rookie of the year and defensive player of the year honors and eight Pro Bowl selections from 2000 to 2012.

Urlacher will be one of eight players inducted as part of a class that includes linebacker Ray Lewis, wide receivers Randy Moss and Terrell Owens and safety Brian Dawkins. Linebacker Robert Brazile and guard Jerry Kramer were voted in separately, as was contributor Bobby Beathard.