If you were watching WGN in Chicago on a random Tuesday morning in January 2016, you probably did a double-take so hard you nearly spilled your coffee. Brian Urlacher—the guy whose face was the literal definition of "bald, mean, and aggressive" for 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears—walked onto the set with a thick, lush head of brown hair.
It was jarring. For over a decade, Urlacher was the guy who punitively shaved his head because, as he later admitted, his hairline started bailing on him back in college. He was the quintessential "tough guy" who didn't seem to care about vanity. Then, suddenly, he looked like a guy ready to film a rom-com.
The internet, as it does, immediately started screaming about brian urlacher hair plugs. But here’s the thing: calling them "plugs" is kinda like calling a Tesla a "horseless carriage." Technically, it’s about moving hair from point A to point B, but the technology is worlds apart from the doll-hair clumps of the 1980s.
The Mystery of the 5,300 Grafts
So, what actually happened? Urlacher didn't just wake up with hair. He underwent a procedure with a company called RESTORE Hair, specifically working with Dr. James Harris.
If you look at the stats, it’s pretty massive. Urlacher had roughly 5,300 follicular units transplanted. That is a lot of real estate. To give you some perspective, a standard "touch-up" might be 1,500 grafts. 5,000+ is a full-scale renovation project.
Honestly, the reason it looked so "sudden" to the public is that he kept it a secret for months. While the hair was growing in, he just kept wearing his signature hats. By the time he did the big reveal on TV, the hair was fully matured.
📖 Related: Erik Menendez Height: What Most People Get Wrong
It wasn't "plugs," it was FUE
Most people use the term "hair plugs" as a catch-all, but that old-school method involved taking large "plugs" of skin and hair, which often left guys looking like a cornfield. Urlacher used Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
Basically, they take individual follicles—one by one—from the back of the head (the donor site) and move them to the front. Because they aren't cutting a giant strip of skin out of the back of your head (the older FUT method), there’s no "linear scar." That was a big deal for Urlacher. He wanted the option to shave his head again if he hated the results.
He didn't hate them.
The "No-Shave" Secret
One of the biggest hurdles for guys considering this is the "ugly phase." Usually, you have to shave your whole head to get the transplant done. Imagine Brian Urlacher walking around Halas Hall with a weirdly buzzed, scabby head for three weeks. Not exactly on-brand.
Urlacher opted for a No-Shave FUE. It’s more tedious for the surgeon (and usually more expensive), but it means you can keep your existing hair length while they tuck the new follicles in between. This is likely how he managed to keep the secret from everyone except his immediate family.
👉 See also: Old pics of Lady Gaga: Why we’re still obsessed with Stefani Germanotta
Why it mattered for the "Tough Guy" image
There's a weird stigma in sports. You're supposed to be this gladiator who doesn't care about a receding hairline. Urlacher’s openness changed that. He famously said that before the procedure, his morning routine took about two minutes. Post-transplant? He’s up to seven minutes because he actually has to use conditioner.
It’s a funny anecdote, but it humanized him.
He admitted that he was tired of wearing hats. He was tired of being the "bald guy" by default. Since his reveal, a waterfall of other athletes followed suit—Deion Sanders, Ryne Sandberg, and Eddie Olczyk all became RESTORE clients. He basically became the "Patient Zero" for normalizing hair restoration in the hyper-masculine world of professional sports.
The Lawsuit Drama
Because the results were so good, other clinics tried to get a piece of the action. In 2017, Urlacher actually sued a Florida-based clinic, Charles Medical Group. They were allegedly using his name and likeness in their metadata and blog posts to trick people into thinking he went to them.
It’s a classic "success breeds imitation" story. When your hairline is so good it triggers a six-figure lawsuit, you know the doctor did a good job.
✨ Don't miss: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes in 2026
What it actually costs
If you’re sitting there thinking, "I want the Urlacher look," you should probably check your bank account first. While prices vary wildly based on geography and the specific doctor, a 5,000-graft procedure in the U.S. typically lands somewhere between $15,000 and $25,000.
You're paying for:
- The surgeon's expertise (Dr. Harris is a big name in the field).
- The "No-Shave" technique (premium pricing).
- The sheer volume of hair moved.
Is it permanent?
Yeah, pretty much. The hair taken from the back of the head is genetically programmed to not fall out. That’s why you see guys who are totally bald on top but still have that "horseshoe" of hair on the sides. By moving those "immortal" follicles to the front, they keep growing for the rest of your life.
Urlacher is now a decade out from his procedure, and the hair still looks solid. He’s not "pluggy," and he’s not thinning out again in the transplanted areas.
Actionable Insights for Your Own Hair Journey
If you're looking at Brian Urlacher’s transformation and thinking about your own receding hairline, don't just go buy the first "hair growth" shampoo you see on Instagram. Here is the realistic roadmap:
- Get a Consultation, not a Quote: You can't price this over the phone. A doctor needs to see your "donor density." If the hair on the back of your head is thin, you might not have enough "ammo" to cover the front.
- FUE over FUT: If you ever want to wear your hair short, go with FUE. The linear scar from the "strip" method (FUT) is a dead giveaway if you get a fade at the barbershop.
- Research the "No-Shave" Option: If you have a public-facing job and can't afford two weeks of looking like you got attacked by a swarm of bees, ask about No-Shave FUE. It’s the "Urlacher Method" for a reason.
- Manage Expectations: Urlacher had a world-class surgeon and 5,300 grafts. If your budget only allows for 1,500, you aren't going to get that thick, linebacker-level density. Be realistic about what your donor hair can actually do.
Ultimately, the "Brian Urlacher hair plugs" saga wasn't about a guy being vain. It was about a guy who had the resources to fix something that bugged him and then had the guts to talk about it publicly. Whether you're a Hall of Fame linebacker or a guy working a 9-to-5, the technology is there—it just comes down to whether you're ready for a seven-minute shower routine.