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Florida State legend voted No. 1 player in NFL team's franchise history

The Seminole legend made his mark in the National Football League.
Jackson Bakich|
Aug 1, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; Derrick Brooks poses at the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees gold jacket dinner at Canton Memorial Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Aug 1, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; Derrick Brooks poses at the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees gold jacket dinner at Canton Memorial Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Florida State Seminoles

The Florida State Seminoles have a rich history of producing Hall of Fame NFL talent. Names that come to mind, such as Fred Biletnikoff, Deion Sanders, Ron Simons, and Derrick Brooks.

READ MORE: FSU football releases depth chart for season opener against Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite their seasons of despair and lackluster performances, have also produced two Super Bowl-winning seasons in 2003 and 2021.

However, one of the most recent honors awarded to Brooks might be the most impressive:

Brooks has been voted the greatest Tampa Bay Buccaneer of all time as the franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary.

How Good Was Derrick Brooks In College And In The Pros?

Derrick Brooks
Oct 4, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers former member Derrick Brooks before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Former Florida State linebacker Derrick Brooks was a part of the Super Bowl-winning 2003 Bucs squad, collecting a Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro selection in the process.

Brooks played 14 seasons in the NFL, all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was selected 28th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft.

With the Buccaneers, Brooks amassed 11 Pro Bowl selections, five All-Pro selections, a Defensive Player of the Year award, a Professional Football Hall of Fame gold jacket, and a Super Bowl ring.

In 224 games, Brooks recorded 25 interceptions, six pick-sixes, 84 passes defended, 24 forced fumbles, one fumble return touchdown, 13.5 sacks, 1,713 combined tackles (1,300 solo), and 68 tackles for loss.

What a career.

During his time in Tallahassee, Brooks played in 38 games, four forced fumbles, five interceptions, two blocked kicks, and 13 pass breakups. He was awarded a First Team All-American selection by the Associated Press in 1993 and '94.

The 2025 Seminoles will take the field and open their campaign against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, August 30, at 3:30 p.m. ET in Tallahassee.

READ MORE: What Alabama's Kalen DeBoer believes it’ll take to beat FSU at Doak Campbell Stadium

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Jackson Bakich
JACKSON BAKICH

Born in Orlando but raised in Lake County, Florida, Jackson Bakich is currently a senior at Florida State University. Growing up in the Sunshine State, Bakich co-hosted the political talk radio show "Lake County Roundtable" (WLBE) and was a frequent guest for "Lake County Sports Show" (WQBQ). Currently, he is the Sports Editor of the FSView and host of "Tomahawk Talk" (WVFS), a sports talk radio program covering Florida State athletics in Tallahassee.

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