 Unquestioned leader of the Buccaneers and arguably the most respected player in the NFL… Dominating linebacker who has been the cornerstone for the league’s best defense of the last decade… Devoted and inspirational player who demands and receives total commitment from his teammates… Prototypical linebacker for Tampa-2 defense, displaying unique skills as a run and pass defender... Excellent open-field tackler who boasts exceptional speed and recognition... Long considered one of NFL’s best linebackers, earned club-record 10th consecutive Pro Bowl appearance in 2006… Earned his 11th Pro Bowl selection in 2008… His 11 total Pro Bowl selections are also a team record and are second-most all-time for a linebacker… His 10 consecutive Pro Bowls (1996-2007) rank him tied for second in NFL history for most consecutive Pro Bowls by a linebacker… Has also been named as a Pro Bowl starter eight times… Earned 2006 Pro Bowl MVP honors… Affirmed his status as one of league’s most accomplished defenders after being honored as NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2002... Team captain who was instrumental in leading Tampa Bay to its first Super Bowl championship following 2002 season... Undeniably the most philanthropic athlete in the Tampa Bay community and one of the NFL’s most active off the field… Has received numerous awards for his civic work including the 2000 Walter Payton/NFL Man of the Year award (co-recipient), the 2004 Byron “Whizzer” White Award and the 2003 Bart Starr Award… Only active player, and just the fourth player in NFL history, to be selected to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls, earn AP Defensive Player of the Year honors and win a Super Bowl… Earned All-Pro honors from the Associated Press for eight consecutive seasons (1998-2005), garnering first-team honors in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005; and second-team honors in 1998, 2001 and 2003... Led defense in tackles for seven consecutive seasons (1998-2004) and paced the club in that category in nine of the last 13 seasons... Leads all active NFL players with 13 consecutive seasons (1996-2008) of 100 or more tackles… Ranks as the most prolific tackler in franchise history with 2,198 stops... His 2,198 stops lead all active NFL defenders… Ranks fifth in club history with 25 career interceptions... Has totaled six career interception returns for touchdowns during the regular season to rank second in team history… Has scored seven regular season touchdowns in his career, second-most in team history by a defensive player… Ranks first on the club’s all-time games started list (221), first on the all-time games played list (224) and first on the franchise’s all-time playoff games played list (11) and playoff games started list (11)... Has played in 224 consecutive games to rank tied for first among active defensive players (also DE Kevin Carter) and tied for third among all active players… His 208 consecutive starts ranks second in the NFL and first among defensive players…. Has not missed a start in each of the last 13 seasons... Named team MVP by the Tampa Sports Club (fan) in 1996, 1998, 1999 (along with Sapp) and 2002… Only linebacker in NFL history to have three interception returns for a touchdown in a season (2002) and his four touchdowns on turnovers (2002) are tied for second-most in a single season in NFL history... Added an interception return for a score in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl XXXVII victory... Has totaled 25 career interceptions, 25 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 13.5 sacks, 135 passes defensed and 10 special teams tackles... Started in 11 postseason contests, notching 110 career tackles, 0.5 sack, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown)... Has earned NFC Player of the Week honors six times and Player of the Month honors twice during his career… Selected by the Buccaneers in the first round (28th overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft. |
 2008: Named to his 11th Pro Bowl… His 11 total Pro Bowl selections are a team record and tied for second in NFL history for most selections by a linebacker… Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 4 performance against Green Bay (9/28)… Started all 16 contests on the season… Named a defensive team captain… Ranked second on the team with 111 tackles, his 13th consecutive season of at least 100 tackles… Led the team with seven TFLs… Totaled 111 tackles, seven TFLs, one interception, eight passes defensed and one forced fumble on the season… Had four tackles before leaving season opener at New Orleans (9/7) with a hamstring injury… Finished with four tackles vs. Atlanta (9/14)… Notched four tackles at Chicago (9/21)… Finished contest vs. Green Bay (9/28) with five tackles, including two TFLs, one interception, three passes defensed and one forced fumble… Forced fumble against the Packers was returned 38 yards for a touchdown by S Jermaine Phillips… Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort against the Packers… Had seven tackles at Denver (10/5)… Tied for team lead with eight tackles, including one TFL, vs. Carolina (10/12)… Added one pass defensed against the Panthers… Had three tackles vs. Seattle (10/19)… Finished game at Dallas (10/26) with six tackles and one pass defensed… Posted a then season-high 13 tackles at Kansas City (11/2)… Notched seven tackles, including one TFL, and one pass defensed vs. Minnesota (11/16)… Finished with eight tackles at Detroit (11/23)… Tallied seven tackles and two passes defensed vs. New Orleans (11/30)… Had six tackles at Carolina (12/8)… Notched a season-high 15 tackles, including two TFLs, at Atlanta (12/14)… Totaled five tackles vs. San Diego (12/21)… Posted nine tackles, including one TFL, vs. Oakland (12/28). 2007: Started all 16 contests for the 12th consecutive season… His 192 consecutive starts are most among all active NFL defensive players… Became the Buccaneers all-time leader in playoff games played (11) and started (11) with start in NFC Wild Card game vs. N.Y. Giants (1/6/08)… Named to USA Today’s 2007 All-Interview Team… Reached the 100-tackle plateau for the 12th consecutive season to tie for the lead among active players, collecting 162 tackles, ranking second on the team… Also tied for second on the team with three forced fumbles and added two passes defensed… Registered nine tackles in season opener at Seattle (9/9)… Totaled 10 tackles and one forced fumble vs. New Orleans (9/16)… Led team with a then season-high 16 tackles vs. St. Louis (9/23)… Added one forced fumble against the Rams… Had seven tackles at Carolina (9/30)… Led team with a season-high 18 tackles at Indianapolis (10/7)… Totaled 11 tackles and one forced fumble vs. Tennessee (10/14)… Surpassed the 2,000 career-tackle plateau after collecting nine tackles at Detroit (10/21)… Appeared in 200th career game vs. Jacksonville (10/28) and led the team with 16 tackles… Had two tackles vs. Arizona (11/4)… Posted 13 tackles and one pass defensed at Atlanta (11/18)… Made 200th career start vs. Washington (11/25) and led the team with 16 tackles … Led the team for the second consecutive week with 10 tackles at New Orleans (12/2)… Tallied a team-leading 14 tackles and one pass defensed at Houston (12/9)… Had two tackles vs. Atlanta (12/16)… Notched seven tackles at San Francisco (12/23)… Had two tackles in limited playing time vs. Carolina (12/30)… Became the Buccaneers all-time leader in playoff games played (11) and started (11) with start in NFC Wild Card game vs. N.Y. Giants (1/6/08) and tallied 12 tackles. 2006: Named to his club-record 10th consecutive Pro Bowl to become only the fourth linebacker in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl at least 10 times… His 10 total Pro Bowl selections are also a team record… Started all 16 contests for the 11th consecutive season… Led the team in tackles (150) for the ninth time in his career… Ranked tied for first on the team with three interceptions… Tied for second on the team with five TFLs… Recorded first touchdown of the season at Cleveland (12/24), returning an interception 21 yards for a touchdown… Reached the 100-tackle plateau for the 11th consecutive season, tying him for the NFL lead (LB Zach Thomas – Miami)… Finished season with 150 tackles, three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and seven passes defensed… Tied for the team lead with 13 tackles, including one TFL, in season opener vs. Baltimore (9/10)… Registered first interception of the season at Atlanta (9/17)… Finished contest against the Falcons with nine tackles and one pass defensed… Notched 10 tackles, including two TFLs, and one pass defensed vs. Carolina (9/24)… Registered six tackles at New Orleans (10/8)… Tallied six tackles vs. Cincinnati (10/15)… Totaled seven tackles vs. Philadelphia (10/22)… Had 10 tackles, including one TFL, and one pass defensed at N.Y. Giants (10/29)… Appeared in his 184th career game to move into first place in team history for most career games played vs. New Orleans (11/5)… Finished game against the Saints with a team-leading and season-high 15 tackles, including two TFLs… Tied for the team lead with 13 tackles at Carolina (11/13)… Led the team with 10 tackles vs. Washington (11/19)… Totaled eight tackles at Dallas (11/23) on Thanksgiving Day… Recorded eight tackles, one interception and two passes defensed at Pittsburgh (12/3)… Posted seven tackles vs. Atlanta (12/10)… Finished with 10 tackles at Chicago (12/17)… Picked off QB Derek Anderson, returning it 21 yards for a touchdown at Cleveland (12/24)… Added six tackles and one pass defensed against the Browns… Posted 12 tackles and one pass defensed vs. Seattle (12/31). 2005: Named to his club-record ninth consecutive Pro Bowl to become only the seventh linebacker in NFL history to be selected the Pro Bowl at least nine times… His nine total Pro Bowl selections are also a team record… Was also named a starter in the Pro Bowl for the eighth consecutive season… Garnered Pro Bowl Player of the Game honors after returning an interception 59 yards for a touchdown in the NFC’s victory… Also earned AP All-Pro first-team honors for the fifth time… Started all 16 contests on the season for the 10th consecutive year as well as playoff game vs. Washington… Finished season with 174 tackles, three sacks, five TFLs, one interception, one forced fumble and 15 passes defensed… Part of a defense that finished the season as the top-ranked unit in the NFL in total defense, marking the fourth consecutive season the unit has ranked in the top five and seventh time in the last nine years… The 2005 season was also the second time in the past four years and third time in team history that the defense finished No. 1 overall… It also marked the ninth consecutive season that the defense has finished among the NFL’s Top 10 in total defense, tied for the second-longest streak in the NFL since 1970… Ranked second on the team with 174 tackles and third with 15 passes defensed… His three sacks on the season tied his career high and ranked tied for second on the team… Reached the 100-tackle plateau for the 10th consecutive season in 2005, tying him for the NFL lead (LB Zach Thomas – Miami)… Led the team with eight tackles in season opener at Minnesota (9/11)… Intercepted QB Daunte Culpepper late in the fourth quarter against the Vikings to secure the victory… Helped lead a defense that did not surrender an offensive touchdown against the Vikings while also limiting the Vikings to 33 rushing yards… Totaled three tackles and two passes defensed against Buffalo (9/18)… Part of a defensive effort that limited the Bills offense to 147 total yards, eight first downs and one field goal… Recorded nine tackles and one pass defensed at Green Bay (9/25)… Posted a then season-high 11 tackles and one pass defensed against Detroit (10/2)… Recorded 10 tackles and one pass defensed at N.Y. Jets (10/9)… Notched 10 tackles and two passes defensed vs. Miami (10/16)… Posted first sack of the season against the Dolphins… Totaled 10 tackles at San Francisco (10/30)… Part of a defense that limited the 49ers to 50 passing yards… Tied his then season-high with 11 tackles vs. Carolina (11/6)… Recorded a then season-high 12 tackles vs. Washington (11/13)… Established a then-season high with 13 tackles at Atlanta (11/20), along with one sack, one pass defensed and one forced fumble… Sack and forced fumble of QB Michael Vick came in the final minute of regulation and set up the Buccaneers game-winning field goal… For the fourth consecutive week, either tied or established a new season-high by posting a season-best and team-high 17 tackles vs. Chicago (11/27)… Added one pass defensed against the Bears… Tied for the team lead with 12 tackles at New Orleans (12/4)… Added one pass defensed against the Saints… Totaled nine tackles and two passes defensed at Carolina (12/11)… Led the team with 10 tackles and one pass defensed at New England (12/17)… Posted his third sack of the season along with 12 tackles and one pass defensed against Atlanta (12/24)… Tied his season-high with 17 tackles vs. New Orleans (1/1)… Finished NFC Wild Card game vs. Washington (1/7) with eight tackles, including one TFL, and one forced fumble. 2004: Named to a team-record eighth consecutive Pro Bowl, ranking him tied for sixth for most consecutive Pro Bowls by a linebacker in NFL history… Selected as a Pro Bowl starter for the seventh consecutive season… Earned AP All-Pro first-team honors for the fifth time in his career… Named to the Pro Football Weekly/PFWA All-NFL Team… Earned first-team All-Pro honors from the Football Digest… Garnered second-team All-Pro recognition from College & Pro Football Weekly… Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 13 against Atlanta (12/5)… Started at weakside linebacker in all 16 contests for the ninth consecutive year… Part of a defense that finished the season ranked fifth in the NFL in total defense, marking the third consecutive season the unit has ranked in the top five and sixth time in the last eight years… It also marked the eighth consecutive season that the defense has finished among the NFL’s Top 10… Reached the 100-tackle plateau for the ninth consecutive season, tying him for the NFL lead (LB Zach Thomas – Miami)… Led the team in tackles for the seventh consecutive season with 172 tackles… Recorded a career-high three sacks (later tied)… Finished season with one interception, three forced fumbles and six passes defensed… Finished the contest at Washington (9/12) with seven tackles… Posted his first interception of the season against Seattle (9/19)… Led the team with 10 tackles while helping limit the Seahawks to 182 total yards… Notched 12 tackles at Oakland (9/26)… Tied for the team lead with a season-high 14 tackles against Denver (10/3)… Added one pass defensed vs. the Broncos… Tallied 11 tackles at New Orleans (10/10)… Totaled 14 tackles at St. Louis (10/18)… Registered eight tackles against Chicago (10/24)… Led the team with 14 tackles against Kansas City (11/7)… Posted 10 tackles at Atlanta (11/14)… Notched eight tackles vs. San Francisco (11/21)… Recorded one sack and one forced fumble that set up the Buccaneers first touchdown of the afternoon against the 49ers… Part of a defensive effort that limited the 49ers offense to 26 total yards and two first downs in the first half… Finished contest at Carolina (11/28) with seven tackles… Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week Honors after leading the team with 13 tackles, including a career-high two sacks of QB Michael Vick, against Atlanta (12/5)… Added two forced fumbles and two passes defensed vs. the Falcons… Helped defense post ninth shutout in franchise history and first of the season against the Falcons… Totaled 10 tackles at San Diego (12/12)… Notched 12 tackles against New Orleans (12/19)… Posted 13 tackles and one pass defensed against Carolina (12/26)… Recorded nine tackles and one pass defensed at Arizona (1/2). 2003: Named to the Pro Bowl for the seventh consecutive season, breaking DE Lee Roy Selmon’s team record (tied along with DT Warren Sapp) for total appearances and consecutive appearances… Also selected a starter for the sixth consecutive year, but did not play in the game… Named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press… Started all 16 games at weakside linebacker for the eighth consecutive season… Part of a defense that ranked fifth in the NFL, marking the seventh consecutive year the defense has finished among the NFL’s Top 10… Ranked first on the team with 151 tackles… Tied for second on the team with two interceptions… Also added three forced fumbles, nine passes defensed, one sack and one special teams stop… Notched six tackles and one pass defensed at Philadelphia (9/8)… Helped defense post third shutout in last 16 regular season games… Recorded 12 tackles against Carolina (12/14)… Led team with 10 tackles at Atlanta (9/21)… Helped defense limit the Falcons to 136 total yards, the seventh-best defensive effort in club history… Posted eight tackles vs. Indianapolis (10/6)… Posted first interception of the season off QB Patrick Ramsey at Washington (10/12), returning it 44 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory in the fourth quarter… Finished game with a team-high 11 tackles and one pass defensed… Led team with 11 tackles at San Francisco (10/19)… Led team with 10 tackles and added one pass defensed against Dallas (10/26)… Helped the defense post its second shutout of the season against the Cowboys… Posted second interception of the season, picking off a QB Aaron Brooks pass in the third quarter against New Orleans (11/2)… Finished game with 12 tackles and one pass defensed… Notched five tackles at Carolina (11/9)… Recorded 10 tackles and two passes defensed against Green Bay (11/16)… Added one special teams tackle vs. the Packers… Totaled seven tackles against the N.Y. Giants (11/24)… Part of a defensive effort that held the Giants offense to 212 total yards… Led the team with a season-high 15 tackles at Jacksonville (11/30)… Added two forced fumbles and one pass defensed against the Jaguars… Totaled 13 tackles and one forced fumble at New Orleans (12/7)… Also posted first sack of the season, dropping Brooks… Led defensive charge that limited Saints RB Deuce McAllister to 69 yards on 22 carries (3.1 avg.)… Finished contest vs. Houston (12/14) with six tackles and one pass defensed… Part of a defensive effort that surrendered just 107 total yards to the Texans, tying for the second-lowest total in team history… Notched 10 tackles and one pass defensed against Atlanta (12/20)… Finished contest at Tennessee (12/28) with five tackles. 2002: Named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press while helping lead the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl championship... Selected to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl, along with DT Warren Sapp, tying DE Lee Roy Selmon’s team record for total and consecutive appearances... Also named as a starter in the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive season... Garnered AP All-Pro first-team honors for the third time in the last four seasons... Honored as the 2002 NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year... Named Defensive Player of the Year and All-Pro by College and Pro Football Newsweekly... Selected All-Pro first-team and honored as Defensive Player of the Year by Football Digest... Also honored as Defensive MVP and named to the All-NFL and All-NFC teams by Pro Football Weekly/PWFA... Named team MVP by the Tampa Sports Club (fan)… Earned All-Pro honors from Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News... Garnered NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors in October... Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort in Week 5 against Atlanta... Became the only linebacker in NFL history to have three interception returns for touchdowns in a season... His four touchdowns on turnovers in 2002 were tied for second-most in a single season in NFL history... Tied for fourth in the NFC with five interceptions... Started in his 125th career game at Chicago (12/29), moving into third place on the club’s all-time games started list... Started all 16 regular season games at weakside linebacker for the seventh consecutive season... Started all three playoff games... Led team with 170 tackles... Posted career-high five interceptions, one fumble recovery, 15 passes defensed and one sack on the year... Part of a defense that ranked first in the NFL, marking the sixth consecutive year the defense finished among the NFL’s Top 10... At the time, also marked the second time in franchise history that the defense finished the year ranked No. 1 overall (also 1979)… Tied with CB Brian Kelly for a team-high 12 tackles against New Orleans (9/8)... Also added one interception against the Saints... Intercepted second pass of the season, returning it 97 yards for a touchdown to preserve shutout at Baltimore (9/15), the fifth shutout in club history... The 97-yard interception return was the second-longest play in team history... Added six tackles and two passes defensed vs. the Ravens... Recorded his second interception return for a touchdown of the season to secure the Monday night victory against St. Louis (9/23), returning QB Kurt Warner’s fourth quarter pass 39 yards... Tied for a team-high three passes defensed while also posting eight tackles vs. the Rams... Notched first sack of the season at Cincinnati (9/29), dropping QB Akili Smith for an eight-yard loss in the third quarter... Finished contest with nine tackles... Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance at Atlanta (10/6)... Recorded his third return for a touchdown of the season after taking a lateral 15 yards following a DT Warren Sapp interception in the fourth quarter... Notched his then team-leading fourth interception of the season on the final play of the contest... Finished with a game-high 13 tackles while also recording two passes defensed against the Falcons... Tied for a team-high nine tackles in helping hold third straight opponent without an offensive touchdown against Cleveland (10/13)... Registered his fourth touchdown on a turnover of the season, returning a QB Donovan McNabb fumble 11 yards for a touchdown at Philadelphia (10/20)... Led all defenders with 13 tackles against the Eagles... Posted 12 tackles at Carolina (10/27)... Registered a team-leading 11 tackles vs. Minnesota (11/3)... Recorded a season-high 16 tackles against Carolina (11/17)... Led all defenders with 15 tackles against Green Bay (11/24)... Added one pass defensed against the Packers... Led defense with 11 tackles against Atlanta (12/8)... Added one pass defensed and helped to limit the Falcons offense to 181 yards... Finished game vs. Pittsburgh (12/23) with a team-high 14 tackles... Added a pass defensed against the Steelers... Established a new career-high with his fifth interception of the season at Chicago (12/29), returning it 44 yards to set up the Bucs second score of the game... Recorded a team-high 11 tackles against the Bears... Recorded first postseason interception of his career in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against San Francisco (1/12)... Added seven tackles, a 0.5 sack and a fumble recovery vs. the 49ers... Posted seven tackles and a pass defensed in the NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia (1/19)... Intercepted a fourth quarter QB Rich Gannon pass, returning it 44 yards for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVII against Oakland (1/26)... Added three tackles vs. the Raiders... Finished second on the team with 17 tackles in the postseason... Notched two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, a 0.5 sack, three passes defensed and one fumble recovery in the playoffs. 2001: Named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl and as a starter for the fourth consecutive season… Was also voted to the AP All-Pro second-team... Also named to both Football News and Pro Football Weekly’s All-NFC Team... Started all 16 games for the sixth straight season... Had a team-best 165 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble and 11 passes defensed on the year... Led the team in tackles in seven games... Started in his 105th career game against Detroit (12/9), moving into fifth place on the club’s all-time games started list... Helped defense finish among the NFL’s Top 10 (sixth) for the fifth straight year, the only team in the league to do so... Set franchise record with 23 tackles (18 solo) at Minnesota (9/30), breaking single-game mark previously held by himself and LB Hardy Nickerson... Also had an interception on the Vikings’ opening possession, which led to a K Martin Gramatica FG, and added one pass defensed... Had seven tackles and one pass defensed despite suffering left foot sprain late in the game against Green Bay (10/7)... Seven tackles, one pass defensed and one interception for seven yards, which led to the first touchdown at Tennessee (10/14)... Led the team with 12 tackles at Green Bay (11/4), surpassing the 1,000-tackle mark for his career... Led the defense in tackles with 13 at Detroit (11/11) and also had one forced fumble... Became club’s all-time leading tackler with 10 tackles against Chicago (11/18)... Led the team in tackles at St. Louis (11/26) with 12 stops and also had two passes defensed... The last pass defensed led to an interception by S John Lynch that sealed the win... Roamed the field with a team-high 16 tackles at Cincinnati (12/2)... Had nine tackles against Detroit (12/9)... Had 10 tackles and one pass defensed at Chicago (12/16)... Led the team in tackles with eight stops against New Orleans (12/23) and one pass defensed... Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Baltimore (12/29), leading the defense with 20 tackles, two passes defensed and an interception... The interception was returned for 53 yards to the one-yard line and QB Brad Johnson scored two plays later... Led the team with nine tackles in playoff game at Philadelphia (1/12). 2000: Earned Pro Bowl honors for the fourth consecutive season and named as a starter for the third consecutive season… Earned first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, College and Pro Football Newsweekly, Football Digest and The Sporting News... Named co-recipient of Walter Payton/NFL Man of the Year Award and also chosen squad’s Most Valuable Player... Started all 16 games for the fifth consecutive season and playoff contest at weakside linebacker... Collected a team-best 179 tackles, forced a career-high five fumbles, posted one interception return for a touchdown, had 11 passes defensed and one sack... Led or tied for team lead in tackles in 10 of 16 games... Opened the regular season at New England (9/3) with a team-leading 16 tackles (12 solo), a pass defensed and forced a crucial third quarter fumble... Was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts... Continued to lead the defense against Chicago (9/10) with 13 stops (11 solo)... Helped turn in the fourth shutout in team history and the first home blanking in 15 years... Led the team in tackles for the third consecutive week with an 11-tackle performance and a forced fumble at Detroit (9/17)... Had seven tackles against the Jets (9/24)... Had 17 tackles (12 solo) and contributed two passes defensed at Washington (10/1)... Played another excellent game in a Monday Night matchup at Minnesota (10/9), totaling 11 tackles with one forced fumble... Had nine tackles and two passes defensed in Thursday night prime-time matchup against Detroit (10/19)... Played spectacular game vs. Minnesota (10/29), recording his first career NFL touchdown on a 34-yard interception against Pro Bowl QB Daunte Culpepper in the second quarter... Also contributed seven tackles and two passes defensed... Had 12 tackles at Atlanta (11/5)... Led the team in tackles with 15 at Chicago (11/19)... Tied a then club record with a then career-high 22 tackles against Buffalo (11/26) and added one sack... Named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November for his efforts... Recorded 10 tackles and two passes defensed vs. Dallas (12/3), as well as forced a key fumble in the fourth quarter on Dallas RB Emmitt Smith... Showed great awareness in rainy day at Miami (12/10), recording 11 tackles and one pass defensed... Helped hold the high-powered Rams (12/18) offense to less than 100 yards rushing on Monday Night game and had eight tackles and one pass defensed... At Green Bay (12/24) had two tackles before leaving the contest with a right shoulder sprain... Returned to action the following week, collecting eight tackles in the NFC Wild Card matchup at Philadelphia (12/31). 1999: Named to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season… Also named as a starter in the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season… Earned first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, College and Pro Football Newsweekly, Football Digest and The Sporting News... Started all 16 games at weakside linebacker for the fourth consecutive season... Collected 180 tackles, recovered two fumbles and posted then career-highs in interceptions (4), forced fumbles (2) and sacks (2)... Also posted a career high in passes defensed with 20… Lone Buccaneer to crack every statistical category... Racked up 12 tackles in season-opening loss to Giants (9/12)... Notched 13 stops and one pass defensed at Philadelphia (9/19)... Recorded 10 tackles and one pass defensed in 13-10 win over Denver (9/26)... Had seven tackles at Minnesota (10/3)... Added eight stops at Green Bay (10/10)... Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after exceptional performance in 6-3 win over Chicago (10/24)... Racked up 13 tackles, career-high tying four passes defensed and career-high two interceptions... Intercepted QB Cade McNown at the Bucs 21-yard line in the third quarter... Picked off QB Jim Miller at midfield with 45 seconds left, one of three passes defensed on Chicago’s final drive... Posted eight tackles at Detroit (10/31)... Recorded 10 tackles and two passes defensed in 31-16 win at New Orleans (11/7)... Also picked off QB Billy Joe Tolliver, returning the theft 38 yards to set up a touchdown... Collected a season-high 17 stops and one pass defensed against Kansas City (11/14), also forcing a fumble that led to a field goal... Racked up 14 tackles, one sack, one pass defensed and one forced fumble vs. Atlanta (11/21)... Fumble was snared by CB Donnie Abraham, who returned it 47 yards for a score... Blanketed the Kingdome turf, amassing 12 tackles, three passes defensed, one interception and one sack in 16-3 win over Seahawks (11/28)... His pick set up a field goal, while his 15-yard sack of QB Jon Kitna knocked Seattle out of FG range... Had eight tackles and one pass defensed in Monday Night win over Vikings (12/6)... Racked up 16 tackles and broke up four passes in crucial division win over Lions (12/12)... Posted eight stops at Oakland (12/19)... Recorded 13 tackles, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery in win over Packers (12/26)... Paced Bucs in tackles for 12th time, collecting 11 stops in division-clinching win at Chicago (1/2)... Set Tampa Bay playoff record with 18 tackles in 14-13 divisional win over Washington (1/15)... Added 17 stops at St. Louis in NFC Championship Game (1/23). 1998: Started all 16 games at weakside linebacker for the third consecutive season... Started in the Pro Bowl at outside linebacker, making his second consecutive appearance in the all-star game… Also was a first-team All-Pro choice by Sports Illustrated, USA Today and Football Digest, a second-team All-Pro choice by the Associated Press and College and Pro Football Newsweekly and an All-NFC selection by Pro Football Weekly and Football News... Led all Buccaneers with 189 tackles, then the third-highest total in team history behind the 214 posted by LB Hardy Nickerson in 1993 and Nickerson’s 194 in 1997... Also pitched in with one interception (returned 25 yards), five passes defensed and two forced fumbles... Reached double digits in tackles in nine of the team’s 16 games and had at least 15 stops on seven occasions... Opened season with outstanding effort at Minnesota (9/6), leading the team with 17 tackles (12 solos)... Recorded one forced fumble and 20 stops against Carolina (10/18), tying for the then third-best single-game tackle mark in team history, just one behind the then record of 21, achieved twice by Nickerson... Recorded 15 tackles and one forced fumble at New Orleans (10/25)… Had 10 stops plus a crucial fourth quarter interception in the Bucs’ 27-24 win over Minnesota (11/1)... Helped Buccaneers to Monday Night Football win over Green Bay (12/7) by leading all defenders with 17 tackles... Key factor in holding Pittsburgh (12/13) to 166 total yards of offense, leading all players with 18 stops, including one for a six-yard loss. 1997: One of only five defensive players to start all 16 regular season and both playoff games... Started all 16 games for the second consecutive season… Posted 182 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 10 passes defensed on way to earning first career Pro Bowl selection... Contributed to season-opening 13-6 defeat of San Francisco 49ers (8/31) by matching DT Warren Sapp with a team-best 11 tackles and assisting on a sack... In week six contest at Green Bay (10/5), posted season-high 18 tackles, ending two Packer drives with clutch third-down stops to force punts... Hauled in first interception of season against New England (11/16), adding three tackles and a pair of passes defensed... Two weeks later at N.Y. Giants (11/30), had most complete outing of season, pacing team with 11 tackles, breaking up two pass attempts and snaring second interception of season on a diving effort at the Tampa Bay 10-yard line... Led team in postseason tackles with a combined 21 in two games, including team-high 13 in 20-10 wild card victory over Detroit (12/28) and another eight at Green Bay (1/4). 1996: Started all 16 games at linebacker and led team with 133 tackles... Broke LB Hardy Nickerson’s three-year string of leading the defense in tackles... Provided outstanding pass coverage as well, tying for the team lead with 12 passes defensed, then the most ever recorded in a single season by a Tampa Bay linebacker... Finished season with 133 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and six special teams tackles… Turned in Buccaneers’ top single-game performance of the year during nationally-televised game at Denver (9/15) with a then career-best 19 tackles (18 solos), one interception and one pass defensed... Notched 12 tackles and one pass defensed at Green Bay (10/27)… Tied career high with four passes defensed and added 10 tackles against Washington (12/8)… In game at Minnesota (12/15), led squad with 11 stops, while also forcing a Viking fumble and recording one pass defensed. 1995: Appeared in all 16 games with 13 starts at linebacker as team opened up three contests in nickel defense... Enjoyed productive rookie campaign, earning starting spot in training camp... Was perhaps top rookie linebacker in league as evidenced by First Team All-Rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly, PFWA, Football News and College and Pro Football Newsweekly… Three non-starts came when Bucs opened with extra defensive backs against run-and-shoot teams... Ranked second on club with 80 tackles to go with one sack, two forced fumbles, four passes defensed and three special teams solos... In first NFL game, started at RLB and notched seven tackles and a pass breakup in win at Philadelphia (9/3)... In best outing, was team’s Player of the Game at Minnesota (12/3) with seven solos, first career sack and a forced fumble... Drafted by Buccaneers with second of two first-round picks (28th overall) in 1995... First-round choice to pick Brooks was obtained from Cowboys for pair of 1995 second rounders. |
 Four-year letterman at Florida State... Played first season at safety before shift to linebacker... Career statistics included 274 tackles, five interceptions, 8.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries... Senior honors included First-Team All-America by American Football Coaches, UPI and Walter Camp... Also a GTE Academic All-America choice... First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice, and was selected for Senior Bowl... For two consecutive years, finalist for Vince Lombardi Award, symbolic of nation’s top lineman/linebacker... In nine starts, finished second on team with 77 tackles to go with three interceptions, three sacks, six passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery... As a junior, was named First-Team All-America by Football Writers’ Association and Walter Camp... Consensus First-Team All-ACC choice and was that conference’s Defensive Player of the Year... Finalist for the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award and the Football Writers’ Defensive Player of the Year award... Racked up 77 tackles (47, 30), two interceptions, two sacks, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries... Had two touchdowns on interception returns, which tied single-season school record set by CB Deion Sanders and CB Terrell Buckley... Three defensive TDs overall tied John Wessel’s FSU mark... Earned sophomore All-America honors from Football News and was also a First Team All-ACC choice... Started all 11 games at OLB and produced career-best 98 tackles (55, 43), 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery... One of only two true freshman to earn a letter... Saw action in all 11 contests and produced 22 tackles (10, 12) as a reserve strong safety... Was moved to outside LB in spring practice prior to second season... Originally graduated from Florida State with a bachelor of arts degree in business communications, then added his masters degree in the same subject, graduating again from FSU in 1999. |
 Married to Carol... Has four children: daughters, Brianna Monai (13) and Dania Denice (3) and sons, Derrick Brooks, Jr. (9) and Darius Dewan (7)... Mother is Geraldine Mitchell, who recently went home to God on her birthday (5/21/55 -5/21/07)... Mother and father are deceased… Lists his favorite scripture as Proverb 16:3 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed… Lives by the words, “Put God in all you do and treat others the way you want them to treat you”… Co-recipient of the 2000 Walter Payton/NFL Man of the Year award… In 2004, was the winner of the prestigious 38th annual Byron “Whizzer” White Award for his dedication to serve his team, community and country in the spirit of the late Supreme Court Justice… Was given the award at the 2004 NFL Players Gridiron Gala, which honored the unsung heroes of the NFL… Named 2007 Citizen of the Year by the Tampa Sports Club… This past offseason, received the Rotary Club of Tulsa’s Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award, honoring him for his outstanding work and leadership in the community… Along with Golf Pro Fulton Allem, won the 2007 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am… In October 2006, helped establish the Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School in Tampa, a charter school with a mission to provide youngsters a high quality, challenging education with rigorous and relevant curricula, thereby enabling students to make valuable and productive contributions to the community… Opened in August 2007, the underlying purpose of the Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School is to prepare all students for successful postsecondary education opportunities… Took part in the NFL’s “Take a Player to School” sweepstakes in 2007… Partnered with Edner’s Children’s Dream Fund “Dream Come True” trip in 2007… Appointed to Florida State University board of trustees by former Governor Jeb Bush in 2003 and still holds the position… Serves as the Chairman of the Governor’s Council for Physical Education… Also serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Leo’s University… In 2004, was asked to sit on the Florida Department of Education Foundation by Jim Horne, the State Commissioner of Education… Recipient of 2003 Bart Starr Award, given to the NFL player, voted on by his peers, who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community… In 2002, was named to the NFLPA Diversity Committee to work with NFLPA executive Director Gene Upshaw on the issue of diversity in the NFL... Has a web site, www.derrickbrookscharities.org, which outlines all of his community endeavors… In March 2003, established his own foundation - Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc.... The Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament, The Derrick Brooks Celebrity Classic... Focuses charitable endeavors on children and has done considerable work with March of Dimes, D.A.R.E. and the Belmont Heights, Ybor City and Brandon Boys and Girls Club... For the 10th consecutive year in 2006, hosted “Brooks Bunch,” a group of 20 kids from Belmont Heights, Ybor City and Brandon Boys and Girls Club whom he invites to every Buccaneers home game... Also has taken “Brooks Bunch” participants on out-of-town field trips, including a 1999 visit to Washington, D.C, a two-week trip to Africa in 2000 and a visit to the Western United States in 2001, including stops at historical sites, such as the Grand Canyon... The 2003 trip featured visits to colleges and universities in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Tallahassee... The group’s seventh educational trip during the 2005 offseason saw the Brooks Bunch return to Africa, making several educational stops throughout South Africa… This past offseason, became the fourth inductee to the City of Champions Wall of Fame exhibit at the Pensacola Regional Airport, as honored by the Pensacola Sports Association... In April 2006, received the prestigious J. Rex Farrior Distinguished Citizenship Award at the Tampa chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s 38th Annual Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet… The award is presented annually to a former or current player who has carried the lessons learned on the football field into a life of service to the community… Participated in the NFL’s 2005 and 2006 “Take A Player to School” program… In early December, 2005 along with several other top NFL players, past and present, taped the 10th anniversary installment of Wheel of Fortune NFL Players Week, which aired in national syndication in January, 2006… Each player was paired with a fan, spinning the wheel for cash and NFL-themed prizes while benefiting Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc… Has been named to The Sporting News NFL’s 101 Best Players List the past four seasons (2003-2006)… During the past five Thanksgivings (2002-2006), distributed 100 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need whose children attend the Wilbert Davis and Ybor City Boys & Girls Clubs… In May 2006, was presented an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from St. Leo’s University for his work in the community… In January, 2006, surprised Michelle Stone, a fifth-grade teacher at Sheehy Elementary School in Tampa, in her classroom with a lei, balloons, flowers, jersey and a letter from the NFL naming her the national 2005 NFL Fan Teacher of the Year… During the 2005 season, participated in the NFL’s “Road To Forty” Ad Campaign, appearing in a commercial with several other former and current NFL greats… In February, 2005 was one of six African-Americans who were honored as part of BET and General Motors’ “History Makers in the Making” celebration… Visited Hurricane Charley victims and relief workers in Lake Wales in the summer of 2004… Prior to the September 19, 2004 game against Seattle, Derrick Brooks Charities and the Buccaneers organized a program to collect monetary donations at Raymond James Stadium for Hurricane Ivan relief efforts in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida… In addition, Derrick Brooks Charities donated $1,000 for each tackle he made against the Seahawks (10 tackles), which resulted in an additional $10,000 towards the relief effort… Because of his work in Pensacola with victims of Hurricane Ivan, the NFL named him the Ameriquest Neighborhood MVP for Week 6 of the 2004 NFL regular season… Along with teammate Ronde Barber, played in the American Century Celebrity Golf Classic at Lake Tahoe during the 2005 offseason… Hosted his annual holiday party at GameWorks with members of the Wilbert Davis, Brandon and Ybor City Boys & Girls Clubs during the past four holiday seasons (2003-2006)… Traveled to his hometown of Pensacola during the 2004 season to distribute 200 turkey dinners to families whose children attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of Escambia County… In 2004, attended the Shelton Quarles IMPACT Foundation Extra Effort Awards Luncheon, where he served as a table host for other attendees… Received an inaugural “JB Award” prior to the 2004 season, which was presented by then-FOX NFL Sunday anchor James Brown, recognizing NFL players for their commitment to achieve excellence off the field through building better communities and stronger families… Participated in the launch of Tampa’s Civic Pride Campaign with Mayor Pam Iorio during the 2004 offseason… One of 13 local residents featured on billboards across the Bay Area as part of the “I Am Tampa” campaign… Invited by the Tampa Bay Lightning to participate in the pre-game festivities during the NHL’s 2004 Stanley Cup Finals... During the 2004 offseason, Brooks was presented with a jersey from the Tampa Bay Titans and University of South Florida Rugby teams in honor of his support of the two programs… Visited Lutz Elementary School during the 2004 offseason to speak to students about the importance of education and how it plays a vital role in their futures… Named to the 2003 and 2004 All-Interview Team by NFL.com… Received the 2003 Outstanding Achievement Award from Junior Achievement… Named the Eddie Mitchell Memorial Award winner from the Tampa Hillsborough County Human Rights Council… Honored in November 2003 as the inaugural recipient of the Derrick Brooks Diamond in the Community Award presented by The Champions Fund, a Florida-based national public charity comprised of donor athlete funds… Featured on the cover of the NFL’s 2003 NFL Record and Fact book… One of a group of Buccaneers to represent the team at the 2003 ESPY Awards… Teamed with the Kids Wish Network in November of 2002 to participate in its Holiday of Hope program at Shriners Hospitals for Children to pass out toys and sign autographs for children confined to their hospital... Participated in Just Play, an all-sport equipment-recycling program for youth in the Tampa Bay area... Received a 2002 Giant Steps Award from the National Consortium for Academics and Sports for his dedication to using his appeal as an athlete to positively affect social change... Winner of 2002 EDDIE (Excellence, Dedication, Devotion, In Education) Award from the Hillsborough Education Foundation in the educational visionary category... One of three recipients of a 2001 Silver Medallion Humanitarian Award by the National Conference for Community and Justice... Named to Florida State’s Hall of Fame and the school’s All-Time Team in 2000... Received honors from the Florida Sports Awards in both 2000 and 2001 for his civic duty... Was the recipient of the Tampa Tribune People’s Champion Award for his contributions on and off the field in 1998... Earned first college degree in December, 1994, five months early... Attended the Craig James School of Broadcasting and is interested in pursuing broadcasting career following conclusion of playing career... Co-hosts weekly one-hour radio call-in show... Cousin of former Buccaneer RB Melvin Carver... Attended Booker T. Washington (Pensacola, Florida) High School, lettering in football and basketball... His alma mater named an athletic facility after him and boxer Roy Jones, Jr... As a senior, was USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year, a first team Parade All-America selection and a first team all-state pick... Rated best safety in country by several recruiting services and was ranked as best defensive player in country by Super Prep... Was high school honor student, graduating with 3.94 average... Born Derrick Dewan Brooks on April 18, 1973 in Pensacola, Florida. |
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