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==High School Career==
At [[Wikipedia:Florida State University|Florida State University]] (FSU), Brooks was a four-year letterman from 1991-1994 and was selected first-team All-American his senior year. Brooks was a key element on FSU's first-ever National Championship when the Seminoles defeated Nebraska 18–16 in the 1993 [[Wikipedia:Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]]. The Seminoles are coached by legendary [[Wikipedia:Bobby Bowden|Bobby Bowden]]. FSU had suffered their only defeat of the season to a second-ranked Notre Dame team, but their path to the National Championship was cleared a week later when the Irish were upset at home by Boston College. While Brooks was at FSU, the Seminoles won the ACC Championship in 1992, 1993 and 1994.
Due to academic excellence, Brooks graduated early with a 3.8 GPAand earned a communications degree. He later received a master's degree.
===Awards and honors/ Honors===
* 3 times: First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) (1992, 1993, 1994)
* 2 times: College Football All-America Team (1993, 1994)
* ACC Defensive Player of the Year (1993)
* 2 times: Vince Lombardi Award (nation's best linebacker) finalist (1993, 1994)
==Professional careerCareer==
Brooks has long been considered one also was named NFL Defensive Player of the premier linebackers in the NFL, as respected off the field as he is feared on it. He was selected to Year by the [[Pro BowlWikipedia:Associated Press|Associated Press]] every in 2002. The same year from 1997 to 2007, but his 10-year streak ended Brooks returned three interceptions for touchdowns in 2007the regular season, an NFL record for linebackers, as he did not make and also returned a fumble for a score for a total of an NFL record four defensive touchdowns at the 2008 Pro BowlOLB position. He was selected to the 2009 Pro In Super BowlXXXVII, his eleventh selection44-yard interception return for a touchdown ensured a victory for the Buccaneers. Brooks is one of 5 players in history to be voted Tampa Bay would go on to 10 Pro Bowls, named Defensive Player of defeat the Year, and be a Super Bowl Champion. The other 4 are [[Mike Singletary]], [[Reggie White]], [[Lawrence Taylor]], and [[Ray Lewis (American football)Wikipedia:Oakland Raiders|Ray LewisOakland Raiders]]. He has also been named All-Pro 9 times. Brooks currently leads all defensive players 48–21 at Qualcomm Stadium in consecutive startsSan Diego, surpassing the 200 start mark late in the 2007 seasonCalifornia.
Brooks earned 2006 Pro Bowl MVP honors by returning a '''Trent Green''' pass 59 yards for a touchdown, leading the NFC to a 23-17 victory. He has also was named won the [[NFL Defensive Player of the Year Wikipedia:Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award|NFL Defensive Player of the Year]] by the [[Associated PressAthletes in Action/Bart Starr Award]] in 2002. That year, Brooks returned three [[Interception (football)|interceptions]] 2004 for touchdowns his off-the-field accomplishments in the [[2002 NFL season|regular season]], Tampa Bay community. The award is given annually to an NFL record for linebackers, player who best exemplifies outstanding character and also returned a fumble for a scoreleadership in the home, for a total of an NFL record 4 defensive touchdowns at on the OLB position. In [[Super Bowl XXXVII]], his 44-yard interception return for a touchdown ensured a victory for field and in the Buccaneerscommunity.
Brooks earned [[2006 Pro Bowl]] MVP honors was released by returning a [[Trent Green]] pass 59 yards for a touchdownthe Buccaneers after 14 seasons on February 25, leading the NFC to a win. He has also won the Bart Starr Award in 2004 for his off the field accomplishments in the Tampa Bay community2009.
On September 17, 2009, Brooks was released by made his TV debut on the Buccaneers after 14 seasons on February 25, 2009ESPN2 program "First Take.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hBtVEGL3EHNRcEXt6hv134Jh8_2wD96IUI7G3| title=Bucs release Brooks, 4 others| publisher=Associated Press| date=2009-02-25| accessdate=2009-02-25}}</ref>"
===NFL awards and honorsAwards / Honors===* 6× 6 times: First-team All-Pro: (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)* 3× 3 times: Second-team All-Pro (1997, 1998, 2001)* 9× 9 times: First-team All-[[National Football Conference|NFC]] (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)* 11× [[11 times: Pro Bowl]] selection ([[1997, 1998 Pro Bowl|1997]], [[1999 Pro Bowl|1998]], [[2000 Pro Bowl|1999]], [[2001 Pro Bowl|2000]], [[2002 Pro Bowl|2001]], [[2003 Pro Bowl|2002]], [[2004 Pro Bowl|2003]], [[2005 Pro Bowl|2004]], [[2006 Pro Bowl|2005]], [[2007 Pro Bowl|2006]], [[2009 Pro Bowl|2008]])* Co-[[Walter Payton Man of the Year Award]] (2000)* [[NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award|AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year]] (2002)* [[Super Bowl]] champion Champion ([[Super Bowl XXXVII|XXXVII]])* [[Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award (2004) * Pro Bowl MVP]] ([[2006 Pro Bowl|2005]])
==Personal==
'''Derrick Dewan Brooks ''' was born April 18, 1973. He is married to '''Carol Brooks''' and have four children: their daughters '''Brianna Monai''' (11) and '''Denice''' (born September, 2005) and sons, '''Derrick Brooks, Jr.''' (7) and '''Darius Dewan'''.
Brooks has donated much of his money to charity. In addition Brooks donated $1,000 for every tackle he made against the Seahawks (10) which was a total of $10,000. Brooks is the founder of the Brooks Bunch charity and youth scholarship foundation in the Tampa Bay area. He has taken local youngsters across the nation and South Africa with the objective of presenting a first hand experience, or a "mobile classroom." Brooks also headed the founding of the Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School in Tampa.
Brooks is well known for his charity work and his advocacy of the importance of education. He was the co-recipient of the 2000 [[[[Wikipedia:Jeb BushWalter Payton Man of the Year Award|Jeb Bush]]. Walter Payton Man of the Year Award]] , (with '''Jim Flanigan''') and was named to the FSU Board of Trustees in 2003 by Governor [[Wikipedia:Jeb Bush|Jeb Bush]].
==External links==
*[http://buccaneers.com/team/playerdetail.aspx?player=Brooks,Derrick,55 Derrick Brooks Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio page]
* [http://www.nfl.com NFL website]
* [http://www.buccaneers.com Tampa Bay Buccaneers website]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Super_Bowl_champions List of Super Bowl Champions]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_I_FBS_National_Football_Championship List of College Football National Champions]
*[http://www.derrickbrookscharities.org Derrick Brooks Charities]