The Pleasure Has Been Ours Derrick
February 27th, 2009
All one needs to know about Derrick Brooks was the first sentence that came out of his mouth in his farewell press conference at One Buc Palace.
“It’s been a pleasure.”
That floored Joe. Here is a guy that got kicked to the curb by the team he shed blood for, was virtually his entire life the past 14 years, and he tells the Pen and Mic Club (and indirectly, the fans listening on live radio), “It’s been a pleasure.”
Damn.
There were other tidbits too. Such as how he continues, after he was let go, to mentor linebacker Geno Hayes. This guy Brooks clearly doesn’t consider himself above others. Rather, he’s putting others before him, as he always seemed to have done.
This guy is special.
Just reading between the lines, it seems Brooks is done unless he gets a contract offer that knocks his socks off when he said, “Tampa will always be my home.”
The most ironic thing Brooks had to say was how payback might be a bitch. Joe heard Brooks speak to a small group once and confessed he nearly went to Florida if not for the bond he developed with Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.
What assistant recruited Brooks for Florida? Jim Bates. Yes, the same Jim Bates who apparently decided Brooks wasn’t worthy of playing one more year for the Bucs.
Payback or irony?
Ian Beckles asked on his radio show on the Sports Animal, WDAE-AM 620, what athlete is a better sports model.
Joe can only think of maybe two. Maybe Roberto Clemente, who literally gave his life to help others.
Jackie Robinson, who indirectly gave his life for others, also springs to mind.
No question Brooks is, has been and likely will be the ultimate role model for Tampa Bay athletes.
No Derrick, you’re wrong. The pleasure has been ours.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:23 am
There is none better. Derek is a class act. One that only comes around every 10 to 15 years.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:49 am
or Derrick, either way you spell it you’re correct.
“I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all he had to give.”
Roberto said that. Could of easily been said by #55.
You know when you get bad info/have a bad day and you’re in shock for a while and you don’t realize what jus happened?!?!…that’s how I feel now!
I’m on Step #2 of accepting the fact that the Bucs jus cut the HEART and SOUL out of Tampa Bay. And it BLOWS!
February 27th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
but hey we just got Kellen Winslow,lol…im sure The Dream and Dumnik worshippers are already slurping at this move…bitterness and sarcasim was intended
February 27th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
C’mon Joe, beckles and the rest of you homers. Brooks is among the greats. Surely not the greatest. There are many other role models like Brooks. ,,,Reggie White John Stockton, Bill Bradley, Dikembe Mutumbo, Cal Ripken, ….Not to take away from Brooks, but didn’t he hold out one year many years ago? …..Pele surely was the ultimate worldwide role model. Jim Kelly still lives in Buffalo and works full-time on behalf of children’s health care. The list goes on and on.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
I’m sorry but I personally find it OFFENSIVE that Brooks has been knighted and Warren Dunn is treated like chopped liver! What Dunn has done every Thanksgiving for a single mother by paying the new house downpayment and buying furniture – even AFTER Dunn left Tampa and moved to Atlanta – definely ranks Warren up there too!
Don’t get me wrong – I would rank Derrick Brooks in the top 10 in that category but I think you need to put Dunn there as well. Plus there is Mike Allstot and what he’s done for kids in Tampa as well.