The University of New Mexico has rarely had a football team better than mediocre, and last season was no exception. After losing to perennial rivals (and equally lousy teams) New Mexico State and UTEP, my Lobos did little to redeem themselves until a late season victory of Air Force. Another losing record. Another forgettable team. Except for one guy. Brian Urlacher.

Four years ago, Urlacher was a 200-pound kid from Lovington, New Mexico and only recruited modestly by the two Division I New Mexico schools. The Lobos ended up giving him a scholarship. Within two years, Urlacher had grown into a 6-4, 250 lb. frame while still keeping his defensive back speed.

Steroids? I wonder if I should even ask that question. There are so many dietary supplements on the market that I don't know what's legal and what's wrong anymore. Urlacher is an athlete, and I'm sure he's doing whatever he's allowed to do to keep himself the most powerful mammal he can be. The bottom line is that he's an impressive football player.

Urlacher was such a great football player on such lousy UNM teams that there weren't enough places to put him. He played linebacker, safety, rover, tight end, special teams and returned both punts and kick offs. He led the team in tackles for his final two years, averaging over 150 a season. Of course, the Lobos were on defense a lot.

He was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year last season and a first team All-American. From a team with a losing record! Since the Lobos did not go to a bowl, Urlacher showed his wares at the Senior Bowl and at NFL combine. He did not fail to impress. He was named defensive MVP at the Senior Bowl and was the only top prospect to perform every athletic drill at the combine. He benched 225 lbs. twenty-seven times and ran a 4.6 40 yard dash. For those who don't know what that means, it's really, really good for a 250 pound man.

By the time NFL Draft Day (the most expensive meat market in the world) came, analysts had him in the top ten picks. True to the rumors, the Chicago Bears selected him with the ninth pick of the draft. Urlacher became the highest-drafted player ever from UNM, and only the second first round pick in the school's history (the first was Robin Cole who was drafted 21st in 1977). He will receive a multi-year contract worth roughly nine million dollars. Not bad for a kid from Lovington.

All of the non-football fans reading this are probably saying "So what? Another jock getting paid an insane amount of money to hit other men getting paid an insane amount of money. What does this mean to me?"

First, as my dad told me on more than one occasion, you need to get that negative chip off your shoulder, son. Next, look at this event on a more general level. Take out the football, the bench presses, the awards, the accolades, the contracts and the No. 9.

Here's what you're left with--a young unknown kid who grew up in a blip of a town works extremely hard and is given one chance at an institution where he is surrounded by mediocrity. Instead of complaining or easing up on his efforts, he does everything he possibly can to improve. He does this for four years with little attention. Someone finally takes notice and gives him a shot to perform, and he impresses everyone. They reward him and his dreams become a reality.

It's pure Hollywood. To quote Magnolia, it's something that happens. It's what we all want to happen to us. These things happen. They sometimes have little rhyme or reason, but they still happen.

Since I'm in a quoting mood this week, I might as well end it with something my grandfather said. "The harder you work, the luckier you get." He was a guy who made the strongest, most weather-resistant strain of wheat in the world during the 1970s. For those who don't know what that means, it's really, really good for a professor from Kansas.

Chris Jungle keeps hope alive.