Watch CBS News

Alex Brown To Retire As A Chicago Bear

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Former Bears defensive end Alex Brown is returning to Chicago to retire as a member of the Bears.

Brown signed a one-day contract with the Bears on Wednesday, so he could retire as a member of the team.

He played eight years for the Bears after he was drafted in the 4th round in 2002, before he was cut in 2010 for financial reasons after the Bears picked up free agent Julius Peppers.

Brown played for the Saints in 2010, before sitting out last season.

He played 143 games in his career, collecting 522 tackles, 59 tackles for losses, 45.5 sacks, five interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, and 12 fumble recoveries during his NFL career.

His 43.5 career sacks with the Bears rank him 4th on the team's all-time sacks list, since sacks became an official stat in 1982, behind Richard Dent, Steve McMichael and Dan Hampton. His five career interceptions rank second all-time by a Bears defensive lineman, trailing only Dent's eight.

He never missed a regular season game in his career, starting all 16 games in seven of his nine seasons. In five career postseason games, including four with the Bears, he collected 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and two pass break-ups. He started at right defensive end for the Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

Brown will be recognized on the field prior to the Bears' first preseason game Thursday against the Broncos at Soldier Field.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.