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→Professional Career
Brooks has long been considered one of the premier outside linebackers (OLB) in the NFL, as respected off the field as he is feared on it. He was selected to the Pro Bowl every year from 1997 to 2007, but his 10-year streak ended in 2007, as he did not make the 2008 Pro Bowl. He was selected to the 2009 Pro Bowl, his 11th selection. Only five players in NFL history have been voted to 10 Pro Bowls, named Defensive Player of the Year, and become a Super Bowl Champion: Brooks, '''Mike Singletary''', '''Reggie White''', '''Lawrence Taylor''', and '''Ray Lewis''', and Brooks. He has also been named All-Pro nine times. Brooks currently leads all defensive players in consecutive starts, surpassing the 200 start mark late in the 2007 season.
Brooks also was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the [[Wikipedia:Associated Press|Associated Press]] in 2002. The same year, Brooks returned three interceptions for touchdowns in the regular season, an NFL record for linebackers, and also returned a fumble for a score for a total of an NFL record four defensive touchdowns at the OLB position. In Super Bowl XXXVII, his 44-yard interception return for a touchdown ensured a victory for the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay would go on to defeat the [[Wikipedia:Oakland Raiders|Oakland Raiders]] 48–21 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.