The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have decided to retire the jersey of linebacker. Derrick Brooks on September 14th, 2014. That day. Brooks will become the third Buccaneers player to have his jersey number retired.
Brooks who is the co owner and president of the AFL (Arena Football League) Tampa Bay Storm was drafted in the first round with the 26th pick in the 1995 NFL Draft to the Buccaneers. He spent 13 seasons with the Buccaneers where he was selected in the Pro Bowl 11 times, and won Super Bowl XXXVII. Not only will Brooks’ number be retired, but he will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year in Canton, Ohio.
When Brooks heard of this, he stated that, “Today is a very important day in my life and to have my number retired is extremely special on top of that,” Brooks said. “No one has worn it since I left, but to know that it’s part of this franchise’s history is a tremendous honor. I’ve had the opportunities to have my number retired in high school and college, but this is a little bit different for me, because every time something goes on in that stadium and they see that number up there they get a piece of me.”
Getting his number retired is amongst many accolades achieved by Brooks. Other accolades include Walter Payton Man of the Year, NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year, NFL 2000’s All Decade Team, 2005 Pro Bowl MVP, Vince Lombardi Award Finalist, etc.
Brooks finished his career with the Buccaneers with 1,715 tackles, an average of 13.5 sacks, 25 interceptions and 7 touchdowns.
