Lance Briggs  Lance Marell Briggs (born November 12, 1980) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, where he played his entire 12-year career. A Sacramento, California native, Briggs attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, California. While at Arizona, he was a two-time first-team All-Pac-10 Conference selection as a linebacker for the Arizona Wildcats football team. Briggs finished his college career with 308 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 36 tackles for losses, three interceptions, 10 passes deflected, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 33 games at strong side linebacker. The Chicago Bears selected Briggs in the third round (68th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. Briggs was the 13th linebacker drafted in 2003. On July 25, 2003, the Chicago Bears signed Briggs to a four-year, $2.06 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $690,000. Throughout training camp, Briggs competed to be a starting outside linebacker against veteran Bryan Knight. Head coach Dick Jauron named Briggs a backup outside linebacker to start his rookie season, behind Bryan Knight and Warrick Holdman. He made his professional regular season debut during the Chicago Bears' season-opener at the San Francisco 49ers and made one solo tackle as they lost 49-7. On October 5, 2003, Briggs earned his first career start and recorded one solo tackle during a 24-21 against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4. In Week 9, Briggs collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (seven solo) during a 12-10 loss at the Detroit Lions. On December 7, 2003, Briggs recorded nine combined tackles (seven solo), deflected two passes, and intercepted a pass which he returned for the first touchdown of his career during a 34-21 loss at the Green Bay Packers in Week 13. Briggs made his first career interception off a pass by Packers' quarterback Brett Favre and returned it for a 45-yard touchdown during the first quarter. He finished his rookie season in 2003 with 78 combined tackles (65 solo), four interceptions, one interception, and one touchdown in 16 games and 13 starts. In 2004, he made 126 tackles and was elected as a second alternate to the Pro Bowl. In 2005, Briggs was selected to represent the National Football Conference in the 2006 Pro Bowl. However, Briggs drew controversy when he refused to attend the Bears' summer camp, resulting in a temporary demotion.