In the latest edition of "Bears Confidential,"
Briggs arrived in Chicago in 2003 as a third-round draft pick from Arizona and has played for Smith since the coach was hired to replace Dick Jauron in 2004.
"It's deeper than just him being my head coach," Briggs said. "I've had situations where I've cried in front of him. Him being someone who can relate to a lot of the situations that I've been through as a man, it was easier for me to kind of open up to him in that way."
Last season Briggs became the ninth player in Bears history to be selected to seven Pro Bowls and the fourth linebacker to be voted to seven in a row, joining Hall of Famers Dick Butkus, Bill George and Mike Singletary.
"I care about my place more in Chicago Bear history than I do anything else," Briggs said. "When I came here I was told by my agent at the time that this is a great place for a defensive player, this is a great place for a linebacker. ... I think that I will be remembered the way that I want to be."
