05.27.09 If you’re a football fan and an admirer of longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks, you may wonder what he’s up to
off the field. “I’m basically doing the same thing I’ve always done,” he told those attending the Founders Club breakfast to benefit the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg. “I’m just working out somewhere else,” away from the Bucs training camp. Brooks was released after last season but said he hoped to play professionally again. As head of Derrick Brooks Charities, he is active in numerous community efforts that focus on youths facing social and economic challenges. Among them is the Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School. The Tampa charter school will graduate its first class of 17 students on Monday. All will go on to college, he said. And Brooks said he hopes to partner with an as-yet unnamed school in St. Petersburg to fight childhood obesity. “Never be satisfied,” he told the group. “Continue what you’re doing, but do it better. Be committed. I’d rather have your time than your money. Stay motivated. Do not get discouraged. Be the words that you are saying.” The Tampa Bay Rays’ Dick Crippen was master of ceremonies for the event, which included presentations by assistant St. Petersburg police Chief Luke Williams, PAL board of directors chair Robin Grabowski, and board of directors co-vice chairs Sean Kelly and Tim Walsh.
05.06.09