Florida's nine professional sports teams place it second only to California. Over the course of more than five decades, thousands of athletes have strived to make a name for themselves in the Sunshine State. Outside of just one guy named Marino, Derrick Brooks is the most prolific sportsman in Florida's history.
Brooks - a native son - has led a truly exceptional career. After piloting Florida State to a national championship in 1993, Brooks entered the NFL when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked him in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He joined a miserable Bucs team and immediately became part of changing the losing culture there with his sincere attitude and breathtaking skill set at linebacker. All he did was reel off 11 (yes, count them, 11) straight Pro Bowl appearances, a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2002 and most importantly, led Tampa Bay to their first Super Bowl win in 2003.
But everything that he means for the respective fan bases of the Seminoles and Buccaneers pales in comparison to his unwavering commitment to the children of Florida, acting as a pillar of inspiration for youngsters across the state.
Brooks can trace his ability to provide hope and guidance to kids back to his own role models. He recalls, "watching my grandparents try to change someone else's life," by cooking for neighbors who didn't have a meal. The generosity of his grandparents, who helped others even while struggling to make ends meet themselves, left a deep impression on young Derrick.
Brooks is as grounded as anyone you will meet. He has reached the pinnacle of the sports world, but has not embraced an extravagant celebrity lifestyle. If anything, he has grown closer to his roots. The level of professional success that Brooks enjoyed would make most people's heads swell up. Instead, it was his heart that got bigger.
Brooks' remarkable career at Florida State set further groundwork for his charitable activities. Though he was busy making opposing running backs wince on the field, he found time to bring joy to underprivileged children with the FSU reading program.
The reading program was only the beginning. It marked the start of a lifelong career of community service; a commitment to helping those in need, especially children.
Brooks recounted a moment from his rookie year when two kids approached him outside Raymond James Stadium. They told him they didn't have tickets, but wanted to see the game. Rather than ignoring them and heading straight to the locker room, Brooks secured tickets for the young men, as well as a few for their friends. Ever the humble gentleman, he explained his generosity in a different light, "At that time [in 1995] we could use a few extra bodies in the stands," Brooks laughed, remembering Tampa Bay's less successful years.
For Brooks, football has been a pastime, but community service has been a livelihood. He stressed, "We all have a vital resource to give that is limited, and that is time. If you have time, you can be a role model and you can be part of any community outreach program."
For him, community service brought a private happiness, which didn't gel with the light that the media cast most football players in. These days, college football scandals and tales of NFL player misconduct dominate the news, but those are a select few instances that provide tabloid fodder. Brooks wants people to know that for every Maurice Clarett, there are plenty of heroes among the ranks of his colleagues.
"I did come to the realization that professional sports were getting a black eye and too many guys were being [portrayed as] selfish when the opposite was actually true," Brooks said. "We have a lot of guys out here who are not selfish, that do a lot for the community and we just struggle to get the story out, because people don't want to read about the good that people are doing."
Brooks has been a leader in the NFL in terms of his commitment to service. Sometimes though, just putting time in is not enough. He recalled a moment that really shook him and sharpened his resolve to help needy children. On a visit to a Boys and Girls Club, Brooks was brought face to face with the reality of the kids he was helping.
He described the memory: "I know this sounds bizarre in today's world, but they didn't know what an airplane was. As one child said, 'Some days I have a problem just looking up because I'm trying to look in front and behind to make sure I don't get hurt.'"
As his level of care deepened, so too did his involvement in the lives of Florida's youth. He joined forces with Lisa DeBartolo and Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. of the DeBartolo Family Foundation to create the Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School back in 2007. It serves hundreds of students in the Tampa area, providing a diverse learning environment and excellent preparation for higher education. Ideally, Brooks wants "to see our high school grow to be a bigger pillar in this community by adding more students."
Though Brooks was quick to name his parents and grandparents as positive influences in his life, another mentor of his was Tony Dungy. Dungy took over the Buccaneers in 1996 and created the famed "Tampa 2" defense, laying the groundwork for their Super Bowl run in 2003. Dungy was very involved in all of Brooks' charity efforts, even accompanying him on a trip to Africa for children.
Maybe Dungy's biggest contribution to his linebacker's life was his unequivocal support of the pursuit of higher education. Many professional athletes forsake their education for the appeal of fame and riches, but Brooks was committed to acquiring more knowledge.
He described the support that his coach had for this desire: "When I told him I wanted to pursue my Master's degree while I was playing, not when I was done, he signed off on it and told me how special it was to me."
It is hard to imagine other NFL head coaches encouraging their players to pursue a degree during the season. It is a testament to Brooks' determination and Dungy's sensitivity.
In addition to the commendable work Brooks has done for needy children, he has two very substantial pegs to hang his hat on: winning the 1993 National Championship with Florida State and winning Super Bowl XXVII with the Buccaneers. He holds those two moments as important emblems of team play, and what goes into achieving a championship. He described the two victories as "some of the proudest moments" of his football career.
Derrick Brooks Charities have enjoyed success in many areas. His foundation has brightened the lives of countless children. But the work has only just begun.
"I'm just an instrument and this foundation still has a lot of music to play," said Brooks. "We're going to continue to invest in children and continue to develop the best citizens we can."
For more information on Derrick Brooks Charities visit: http://www.db55.org/