Derrick Brooks (born April 18, 1973 in Pensacola, Florida) plays professional football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. Brooks, an outside linebacker, starred at Washington High School in Pensacola and later at Florida State University, where he was a four-year letterman and was first-team All-American his senior year. He was selected in the first round of the 1995 draft by Tampa Bay, as was defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Brooks and Sapp were both instrumental in turning the Buccaneers from perennial doormats into eventual Super Bowl champions (they won in 2002). Brooks has long been considered one of the premier linebackers in the NFL, as respected off the field as he is feared on it. He has been named to the Pro Bowl nine consecutive times (every year from 1997-2005)and won the Pro Bowl MVP award in the 2006 game. He has also bee named to the Associated Press All-Pro team six consecutive times (every year from 1999-2004). Brooks also was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 2002. Brooks returned 3 interceptions for touchdowns in the 2002 regular season, which is a NFL record for a linebacker. Also added a fumble recovery for a touchdown. His 44-yard INT return TD in the Super Bowl iced the game for the Buccaneers.
Brooks is well know for his charity work and his advocacy of the importance of education. He was the co-recipient of the 2000 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and he was named to the Florida State University Board of Trustees in 2003.
Brooks most recent on-field achievement was being named the MVP of the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl.
