When you hear the name Urlacher, your brain probably goes straight to No. 54 prowling the middle of the field at Soldier Field. Hard hits. Bald head. Pure Chicago grit. But for nearly two decades, a different kind of drama played out away from the gridiron, centered on a woman named Tyna Robertson (now Tyna Karageorge) and the son she shares with the Hall of Famer, Kennedy Urlacher.
If you've followed the tabloids, you know this hasn't been a quiet story. It's been a whirlwind of courtrooms, multimillion-dollar lawsuits, and tragic headlines. But honestly? The narrative is shifting. While Tyna’s past often dominated the news cycle, the focus is now pivoting toward Kennedy, who is busy carving out a legacy that doesn't just rely on his last name.
Who is Tyna Robertson?
Tyna Robertson first hit the public radar long before the world knew her as the mother of Brian Urlacher’s son. She was a real estate agent from Illinois, but she became a household name due to a high-profile legal battle with Irish dance legend Michael Flatley. In 2003, Robertson accused the "Lord of the Dance" star of sexual assault in a Las Vegas hotel.
Flatley didn't just deny it; he fought back hard.
A California court eventually ruled that the allegations were part of an extortion plot. The judge ordered Robertson to pay Flatley $11 million in damages for defamation and civil extortion. It was a massive, public blow to her reputation, and it set the stage for how the media would treat her for years to come.
By the time she and Brian Urlacher had their son in May 2005, she was already viewed through a skeptical lens by many in the public eye.
The Battle Over Kennedy Urlacher
Brian Urlacher filed a paternity suit just a month after Kennedy was born. He wanted to be sure, and he wanted to be involved. DNA tests confirmed he was the father, and for a while, they settled into a rocky co-parenting arrangement.
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It wasn't easy.
In 2007, a judge famously ordered both Brian and Tyna to attend parenting classes because they couldn't stop bickering over visitation schedules. They were arguing over things as small as where to meet on the highway for a hand-off. Tyna even told reporters at the time that Brian "needed" the classes and wasn't a good role model.
The 2016 Tragedy and the $125 Million Lawsuit
The situation turned from messy to tragic in late 2016. Tyna had married a man named Ryan Karageorge. On December 29, Karageorge died from a gunshot wound at their home in Willow Springs.
The circumstances were debated. Tyna claimed it was a self-inflicted shot following an argument where she said Karageorge had assaulted her. Brian Urlacher, however, wasn't buying the story. He filed for emergency custody of Kennedy, citing "suspicious circumstances." He even alleged that Tyna told Kennedy his stepfather died in a car accident before the truth came out.
Urlacher was granted temporary custody, and Kennedy moved to Arizona to live with him. Tyna didn't take this lying down. In 2018, she filed a staggering $125 million lawsuit against Brian, his lawyers, and a news reporter. She claimed they conspired to paint her as a murderer to strip her of her parental rights.
Most of those legal claims were eventually dismissed or stalled in the courts, but the damage to their relationship seemed permanent.
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Kennedy Urlacher: Breaking the Mold
While his parents were at war in the papers, Kennedy Urlacher was growing up. Fast.
Living in Arizona with his dad, Kennedy started making a name for himself on the football field. He didn't play linebacker like his father; he found his home in the secondary as a hard-hitting safety. He attended Chandler High School, a powerhouse in Arizona, where he racked up 127 tackles and showed off a high football IQ.
He’s not a clone of Brian. At 5-foot-11 and about 195 pounds, he’s built differently, but he has that same "nose for the ball."
College Career: From Notre Dame to USC
Kennedy committed to Notre Dame as a four-star recruit. During his freshman year in 2024, he actually saw the field quite a bit for a true freshman, appearing in 14 games. He even played in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship under Marcus Freeman.
But as the 2025 season approached, Kennedy decided he needed a change. He entered the transfer portal and headed back West to join the USC Trojans.
Now a sophomore at USC in 2026, Kennedy is a rising star in the Big Ten. He’s already making plays—sacks, interceptions, and those signature "Urlacher" hits. He’s wearing No. 28, a deliberate choice to stand apart from his father’s legendary No. 54.
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Where Things Stand Today
Honestly, the "Tyna Robertson" of the mid-2000s tabloids feels like a lifetime ago. While she has stayed relatively quiet recently, her legal battles defined a decade of Chicago sports gossip.
For Kennedy, the journey hasn't been simple. Moving between parents during a high-profile custody battle and a tragic death in the home is a lot for any kid to handle. But looking at him now—a 4.2 GPA student-athlete starting for a major program like USC—it’s clear he’s found his footing.
He’s acknowledged that his dad is his biggest fan, often seen on the sidelines of his games. But he's also made it clear: he’s Kennedy, not Brian 2.0.
What to Watch For Next
If you're following this story, keep your eyes on the 2027 or 2028 NFL Draft. Kennedy has the athleticism and the pedigree to make it to the league.
- Watch the USC games. Kennedy is becoming a defensive leader in the secondary.
- Follow the stats. Pay attention to his "solo tackle" count; it's a great indicator of his range and ability to finish plays.
- Look for the 2027 Draft boards. Scouts are starting to note his versatility on special teams and defense.
The drama of the past might never fully disappear from the internet, but Kennedy Urlacher is doing a pretty good job of writing a brand new ending to the story.