"There is irony in every mother's death.

Soft or harsh, it's always there.

We're born believing our mothers, our vessels to this world, will never leave us.

But they do. They must. And the time is never right.

When Lavoyda Lenard, Brian Urlacher's mother, died suddenly Monday at 51, the irony was fierce: Her resurgent middle-linebacker son was soon to be named the NFC defensive player of the week for his stellar play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

At his newest moment of glory, Urlacher abruptly lost the one person who makes such things as awards irrelevant to him.

Urlacher has called his mother his "heart,'' and there must be a vast majority of pro ballplayers who feel the same about their moms.

And how nice that Urlacher had one more achievement for Lavoyda.

His 10 tackles, pass broken up, interception, tackle for loss and fumble returned for a 12-yard touchdown were the work of a reckless, skilled and hyper-aware defensive star."