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Derrick Brooks
Commander Naval Region Hawaii, Rear Adm. Michael Vitale, presents the Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy to Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker, Derrick Brooks.
Date of birth	April 18, 1973 (age 33)
Place of birth	Pensacola, Florida
Position(s)	Outside Linebacker
College	Florida State
NFL Draft	1995 / Round 1/ Pick 28
Career Highlights
Pro Bowls	1998, 1999,2000 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Awards	2005 Pro Bowl MVP 2002 AP Defensive P.O.Y.
Honors	1 Super Bowl ring
Stats
Statistics	CBS.com DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1995–Present	Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Derrick Philly 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 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay. Brooks was instrumental in turning the Buccaneers from perennial doormats into eventual Super Bowl champions.

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 was selected to the Pro Bowl every year since 1997 and has not missed a Pro Bowl since, including the MVP of the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl. His nine-year streak would have come to an end when he was selected as first backup to the OLB position in the 2007 Pro Bowl, until he replaced Lance Briggs at the OLB postition, continuing his now ten-year streak . He has also been named to the Associated Press All-Pro team seven consecutive times—every year from 1999-2005 (1st team in '99-'00,'02,'04-'05).

Brooks also was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 2002. That year, Brooks returned three interceptions for touchdowns in the regular season, an NFL record for linebackers, and also returned a fumble for a score, for a total of a NFL record 4 defensive touchdowns at the OLB position. In Super Bowl XXXVII, his 44-yard interception return for a touchdown ensured a victory for the Buccaneers.

Brooks is well known 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 was named to the Florida State University Board of Trustees in 2003.

• Derrick Brooks Charities
• Derrick Brooks at ESPN.com
• Derrick Brooks at NFLPlayers.com