SPEAKER
SERIES
Community of Champions Luncheon
Derrick Brooks Focuses on Family , Faith and Education
By Carmine Bell , Ph . D ., PHSC Professor Emerita
Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks , former Tampa Bay Buccaneer , charmed guests in a conversation with PHSC President Timothy L . Beard , Ph . D ., at PHSC ’ s Community of Champions luncheon , a 50th Anniversary event held last November at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch .
Florida native Brooks , an All-American athlete at Florida State University ( FSU ), played 14 seasons with the Bucs , never missed a game and led the defensive team to help capture its first Super Bowl Victory in 2003 .
As founder and president of Derrick Brooks Charities in Tampa , Brooks provides educational opportunities for socio-economically challenged youth through diverse programs at the Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School , an A + rated public charter school that currently serves 600 + students . Additionally , Brooks currently leads a division of the Vinik Sports Group , owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning .
Brooks emphasized education and commitment to faith , family , and community . At FSU , he preferred to be photographed reading a book in the library rather than executing plays on the field . His mother , who recruited FSU Coach Bobby Bowden as an ally , monitored Brooks ’
President Beard presents Brooks with a PHSC polo shirt .
academic progress . Former Bucs Coach Tony Dungy instilled values , insisting that players reserve time for families and community service . Dungy taught all his players that serving the community is the best strategy for winning .
LEMA Construction sponsored the luncheon with a generous $ 10,000 donation .
Honored guest , former Bucs Quarterback Parnell Dickinson recognized
Brooks poses with PHSC students .
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