Robert Brooks

Infobox NFLretired


|caption=
position=Wide Receiver
number=87
birthdate=birth date and age|1970|6|23
Greenwood, South Carolina
debutyear=1992
finalyear=2000
draftyear=1992
draftround=3
draftpick=62
college=South Carolina
teams=
* Green Bay Packers (1992-1998)
* Denver Broncos (2000)
stat1label=Receptions
stat1value=309
stat2label=Receiving Yards
stat2value=4,276
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=32
nfl=BRO166566
highlights=
* 1997 NFL Comeback Player of the Year
* Longest pass reception in NFL history, 99 yards
*Super Bowl XXXI Champion
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

Robert Brooks (born June 23, 1970 in Greenwood, South Carolina) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Green Bay Packers (1992-1998) and the Denver Broncos.

Early life

Brooks started playing football in a pee wee league at age 6. He then moved on to playing at Northside Junior High. He played running back until he reached college. In his senior year of high school, he scored 14 touchdowns and gained over 700 yards. He was also a state champion track star in high school. He was considered one of the best track athletes in the world after winning the 110 meter high hurdles with a time of 13.9 seconds at the Keebler International Prep Track and Field Invitational in June 1988.

College career

Brooks played collegiately for the University of South Carolina (1988-1991). He was a fan favorite throughout his college career, Brooks was known for his fluid running and sure hands. He was a Freshman All-American in 1988.

Pro career

Brooks was drafted in the third round, 62nd over all, of the 1992 NFL draft to the Green Bay Packers. He played for the Green Bay Packers (1992-1998) and the Denver Broncos (2000). He led the NFL in kickoff returns in 1993 with a 26.6-yard average. He came into his own in 1995, following a career-ending injury to teammate Sterling Sharpe. That year, he led the Packers with 102 receptions and 13 touchdowns, while racking up 1,497 receiving yards, a franchise record [1] . He finished with 309 receptions, 4,276 yards, and 32 touchdowns. Brooks popularized the "Lambeau Leap," leaping into the arms of fans in the end zone after scoring a touchdown.

Brooks suffered a severe knee injury in week 7 of the 1996 season against the San Francisco 49ers. Niners cornerback Tyronne Drakeford pulled Brooks to the turf while he was blocking downfield. Brooks suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn patellar tendon on the play. He missed the remainder of the season, and was unable to play in Super Bowl XXXI. The Packers beat the New England Patriots 35-21. Brooks vowed to return the next season, and in 1997 he won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, catching 60 passes for 1,010 yards and 7 touchdowns.Brooks later developed back problems as he was forced to change his running mechanics. He suffered through a painful season in 1998, and briefly retired before attempting a comeback with the Broncos in 2000. Following the season, in which he appeared in only a handful of games, Brooks again retired from the NFL.

Post-football career

After his football career ended, members of Brooks family called him about going into the music industry. He created his nickname “Shoo-in”. Brooks created the record label “Shoo-in 4 life”. He also has two cds named Jump and Down wit’ tha Bay.

Brooks is also the minister of Capstone Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brooks is married and has three children named Robert, Elija and Austin.

References

External links

* [http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BROOKROB01 Brooks' stats]
* [http://www.robertbrooks.com Robert Brooks' homepage]