Derrick Brooks will officially retire today as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer

The day would inevitably come.  He knew it, we knew it, it was just a matter of when.  And now, the question of "when" has been answered.  Derrick Brooks, #55, double nickel, will officially retire.  His announcement will come on DerrickBrooks.TV today.  He will also hold a press conference at One Buc Place  on Thursday, August 12th at 1:30 P.M. which will also be simulcast on Buccaneers.com. 

Derrick Brooks will retire being an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and 9-time All Pro.  He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year during the Super Bowl run in 2002.  He started 221 games and played in 224 games, every single game that he was on the Bucs roster, which is a franchise record.  He recorded 2,198 tackles, most in franchise history, along with eight defensive touchdowns, second most in Bucs history.  He was taken with the 28th pick in the '95 NFL draft out of Florida State and would be a key cog in the Bucs turn from laughing stock to perennial contender.  Even more important was his work off the field.  He has founded and been involved with numerous charities. 

On a personal note, having been a Florida State fan my whole life and of course, a Bucs fan, I had the privilege of watching almost every snap of his career.  There is no question he was a tremendous player.  There's a reason he has been called the prototypical weakside linebacker.  I also have had the chance to meet and talk to Derrick a handful of times and each time he has been gracious and receptive to then starry eyed fan and now admiring fan.  Congrats to you Derrick Brooks on a fantastic career, both on and off the field and good luck in your future endeavours.  I look forward to seeing you in the Buccaneer's Ring of Honor and your induction into Canton when the wait is up.