Brian Urlacher Posts 'In No Way Reflect' Bears' Values, Team Says

LAKE FOREST, IL — Chicago Bears officials have distanced the organization from former player Brian Urlacher in response to recent activity on his social media account.

Urlacher, 42, juxtaposed a 2003 Monday Night Football game former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre played with players' recent boycotts of National Basketball Association postseason games in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha police.

"Brett Favre played the MNF game the day his dad died, threw 4 TDs in the first half, and was a legend for playing in the face of adversity," he said in a statement posted to his Instagram story. "NBA players boycott the playoffs because a dude reaching for a knife, wanted on a felony sexual assault warrant, was shot by police."

Videos of Sunday's police shooting recorded by bystanders shows Officer Rusten Sheskey shoot Blake in the back seven times after Blake breaks free from officers, walks away and opens the door to his SUV.

According to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, investigators found a knife on the floorboard of Blake's car, but it's not clear what kind of knife, and there is no indication on video that he reached for it. Wisconsin court records show an arrest warrant for Blake on charges of third-degree sexual assault, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass to dwelling was issued on July 7 in connection with allegations of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend in May.

On the same account, Urlacher also indicated support for 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, of Antioch, who faces charges in connection with the fatal shootings of two men and the wounding of a third. Rittenhouse is being held at a juvenile detention facility Lake County ahead of a hearing next month on the status of his extradition to Wisconsin.

Urlacher "liked" a post from conservative social media personality Rogan O'Handley with a photo of the rifle-wielding teen with the messages "Free Kyle Rittenhouse" and "Patriot Lives Matter!!!"

RELATED: Kyle Rittenhouse Faces Homicide Charges In Kenosha Shootings

“The social media posts in no way reflect the values or opinions of the Chicago Bears organization,” team representatives said Thursday night in a statement provided to Pro Football Talk. Bears spokesperson Adam Widman did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment about the posts.

Urlacher's former teammate Matt Forte described his comment as "void of empathy, compassion, wisdom and coherence" in a social media post.

"I pray for those who have been blinded by their wealth, privilege and earthly fame that breeds arrogance in their hearts," Forte said. "And those who refuse to acknowledge racism and injustice but instead choose to place their energy into justifying it by quickly judging the victims life as if they themselves are more valuable because their sins are different or weren’t caught by man... but God sees all."

RELATED: NBA Players Agree To Resume Playoffs

Earlier Thursday, Bears players issued a joint statement through the team's public relations department. It said they had decided to pause football activities to talk about issues of race and police brutality in the United States.

"We had a productive discussion, but we all agreed that talks and discussions are simply not enough anymore and we need action," it said. "We are putting in plans to take action in our communities and together we believe we can make a real difference."

Now based in Arizona, Urlacher is a former resident of Mettawa, where his indicted brother is mayor. The 9.4-acre estate Urlacher purchased there in 2004 has been listed for sale since March 2017.