Derrick Brooks Has Retired
August 11th, 2010
Just about every Bucs fan knew it was over.
Now, the suspense is over.
Via his official video website derrickbrooks.tv, former Bucs great and future Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks announced his retirement from the NFL.
And thus a career of perhaps the greatest Bucs player in franchise history is over.
Ironically, it comes on the same day that Brooks will appear on a national cable show dismantling some loudmouth wannabe football player on Pros vs. Joes.
To Joe, that appearance told him Brooks was done. No way Brooks would ever agree to a stunt like that if he still held out hope he could still play in the NFL.
eye-RAH! of the Tampa Tribune documents the details.
“This is my official retirement announcement,” Brooks said in the video. “I simply want to say thank you to all you fans who supported Derrick Brooks as well as the Buccaneers throughout my 14 years.”
An announcement from the club is expected later today.
The league’s Defensive Player of the Year during Tampa Bay’s 2002 championship season, Brooks registered a franchise-record 2,196 career tackles in 14 seasons, almost twice as many stops as runnerup Ronde Barber. He made the Pro Bowl 11 times, including 10 consecutive seasons beginning in 1997, and he’ll be initially eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
There are too many good moments of Brooks’ career for Joe to single out, save for one: When Brooks returned a Rich Gannon interception into the end zone for the Super Bowl-clinching touchdown. Brooks was so overcome with emotion, that Warren Sapp had to help him from the end zone and Brooks later broke down in Chucky’s embrace.
That will forever remain vivid in Joe’s memory.
You were the best, double-nickel.
Mr. Derrick Brooks.
August 11th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Mr. Brooks, thanks for the unlimited memeories of great defensive football! You are the MAN!
August 11th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Derrick Brooks gave all of us Lasting memories of a great player.
You were the best at your position there ever was, Mr. Brooks.
And You did it with Class, Dedication, & Skill that cannot be replicated.
August 11th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Derrick Brooks, you’re an all-time great: A player who redefined the position of weakside LB, helped turn around the fortune of a franchise, and an obvious first-ballot Hall of Famer. You were the best at your position for a decade, always a consummate professional, and the best player in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
You’ll probably always be my favorite NFL player. I wish you the best of luck in your second career, knowing that whatever you choose to do you’ll do it with the same dignity and class you exhibited on the field during your entire tenure with the Bucs.
Thank you again for everything you’ve given us.
August 11th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Thanks, Mr.Brooks! It was an honor watching you perform . The very best, both on and of the Field! This City and her fans can’t wait to honor you!
August 11th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Mr. Derrick Brooks, What else can I say that hasn’t already been said?! I’ve been watching you excel since your early days @ my school FSU. There is no doubt in my mind that we would’ve lost that National Championship game to Nebraska if not for you running down the ball carrier from behind as the clock was winding down. I waqtched you get drafted onto my favorite pro team and continue to excel. Once again, if not for your incredible play chances are we wouldn’t have made it to the Super Bowl, much less Won the game. You have been a positive role model to countless numbers in the community and in this mans opinion, the GREATEST Will Linebacker to ever play the game. It has been MY pleasure to witness your greatness on and off the field for the past 20~ years. Thank you for a lifetime of memories and best of luck to you in your future endeavors. I’m looking forward to seeing you go into Canton in 4-5 years!