Linebacker Derrick Brooks, a nine-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowl selection, will announce his retirement with a special video message on DerrickBrooks.tv, today, Wednesday, August 11.
Brooks will also hold a press conference at One Buccaneer Place on Thursday, August 12 at 1:30 p.m. ET. The press conference will be carried live on Buccaneers.com.
Brooks, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 28th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2002 and helped lead the Buccaneers to their first NFL title in Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26, 2003. The Florida State star never missed a game during his 14-year career with Tampa Bay, seeing action in 224 games with 221 starts, both all-time Buccaneer franchise records. His 2,198 career tackles are also the most in team history, and his eight defensive touchdowns, including one in the Super Bowl win over Oakland, are second-best in the Buccaneers' record book.
Brooks has also been a pioneer in the Tampa Bay community, establishing Derrick Brooks Charities and helping to found the Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School in Tampa. He was named co-recipient of the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2000.