National Football League: Derrick Brooks announces retirement
The official announcement has been made; Derrick Brooks is retiring from the NFL after a spectacular career. The announcement came through a video posted online on his website. The video was filmed at the Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School which he founded.
"This is my official retirement announcement,'' Brooks said. He thanked all his fans who had supported him through 14 years of playing as a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brooks was let go by the Buccaneers in 2008 and he has not officially signed with any other team since then. He did take part in the New Orleans work out last year but did not play with the team which went on to win the Super Bowl. It would appear now that Brooks’ search for a team has come to a close with the decision to retire.
Brooks has n NFL record of 2,196 tackles to his credit in the 14 seasons he played, far ahead of runner-up Ronde Barber. He was the defensive player of the year in 2002. His NFL career was always on the up. In 1995 as a rookie, Brooks landed 78 tackles. Each season he raised that figure consistently. In his second season with the NFL he managed 132 tackles, 144 in the third season along with a trip to the Pro Bowl raising that figure again to 156 tackles as he earned his second Pro Bowl season. He recorded more than one hundred tackles in every season after his rookie year for 13 years until retirement. He continued his Pro Bowl success for 10 consecutive seasons, which is also an NFL record.
After being drafted 28th overall by the Buccaneers, Brooks never missed a game for 14 seasons. He started all but 3 of his 224 NFL games. In his career he had 25 interceptions, with his first coming in the 1996 season and 11 forced fumbles. He won the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2003 and was given the title of the Super Bowl MVP. He was also given the MVP title for the 2005 season.
Brooks was an active philanthropist and worked with many charitable organizations in Tampa Bay. Since being let go by the Buccaneers and not finding a spot on another team, Brooks has been working as an analyst for ESPN and commentator for a radio station. It is expected that he will continue with ESPN.
The circumstances of Brooks departure were not ideal for him or Tampa Bay. He played 208 consecutive games for Tampa Bay since becoming a pro and still he was let go in Tampa Bay’s so called great purge. The Buccaneers were never able to offer Brooks a proper send off and that is what they will try to do later today in a press conference. Brooks will also be present at the press conference to be held at the team’s facilities.
After Brooks’ departure, Geno Hayes replaced him as a starter in 2009. The two are reportedly still close to each other. Tampa Bay coach, Raheem Morris, praised Brooks as a true professional when he was asked about the relationship between Brooks and the player who took his spot, Hayes.
Brooks has had a stellar career and without a doubt is the most recognizable Buccaneer. His contributions to the team cannot be overstated. He surely will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
When Brooks came to the NFL there were many who doubted his staying power and questioned what he could contribute to the Buccaneers. However those people soon joined the Brooks camp when it became painfully obvious that Brooks was a perfect fit for the Buccaneers.
For many, Brooks’ retirement is just a countdown until he is immortalized in NFL’s hall of fame. His career is certainly hall of fame worthy and it ended far sooner than what the fans would have been happy with.
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