Early years and personal

Brooks attended C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, which he helped lead to two VHSL state championships during his three-year tenure (1999-2001). Brooks battled injuries throughout his high school career, but he had a very productive year in 2001—he had 207 tackles (144 solos), including 34 for loss, and he also rushed for 848 yards and 10 TDs while averaging 12.6 yards per carry. The semifinal loss to Thomas Dale High School of Chester, Virginia in 2001 was the only Hylton loss in three years in which he played. He was named as USA Today's National Defensive Player of the year after the 2001 season. He participated in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl game.

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Brooks was listed as the No. 1 outside linebacker in the nation in 2002.

His father, former Washington Redskins defensive tackle Perry Brooks, died in March 2010.

College career

Following high school, Brooks spent one year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia a military post-graduate school before enrolling in the University of Virginia in the fall of 2003, where he played for the Virginia Cavaliers football team. He earned a starting position as a freshman and finished the year with a career-high and team-leading 117 tackles. He also had four sacks, six passes defensed, 10 tackles-for-loss and 15 QB pressures. He had a career-high 12 tackles vs. Pittsburgh in the Continental Tire Bowl, including a key stop early in the contest to complete a goal-line stand.

During his sophomore year at the University of Virginia he was one of three Butkus Award finalists, which goes to the best linebacker in the country. He played in 12 games, earning All-America honors after totaling a team-leading 90 tackles, with eight sacks, two INTs, 11 QB pressures and 10 tackles-for-loss. Earned Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his performance against the Maryland Terrapins.

He played in six games as a junior, with 27 tackles (10 solo), including one sack, plus four passes defensed and five QB pressures. He missed games 1-3 while rehabbing from knee surgery performed following his sophomore campaign. He missed other games due to various injuries throughout the 2005 season. He was involved in several off-field problems and was eventually dismissed from the team following the season.

Professional career

2006 NFL Draft

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40-yd dash	10-yd split	20-yd split	20-ss	3-cone	Vert	Broad	BP
6 ft 3⅞ in	249 lb	4.64 s

Cincinnati Bengals (2006-2007)

Brooks entered the NFL Supplemental Draft following his junior season at Virginia and was selected by the Bengals in the third round on July 13, 2006. He made his NFL debut September 24 at Pittsburgh (no statistics). As a rookie, he played in 11 contests (Games 3-9, 11-12, and 16), with starts at Middle Linebacker in Games 5-9. He had 46 tackles, with one sack, 2 passes defended, and one special teams tackle.

In the 2007 season opener on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, Brooks was the starter. Brooks ended the game with six tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. In the first series of the game against the Cleveland Browns in week 2, Brooks tore his groin muscle, which ended his season. He was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2007.

Brooks was waived by the Bengals on August 30, 2008 during final cuts.

San Francisco 49ers (2008-present)

On August 31, 2008, Brooks was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers. The team released linebacker Dontarrious Thomas to make room for Brooks. The 49ers waived Brooks on November 29 to make room for wide receiver Chris Hannon, but re-signed Brooks on December 2 after Hannon was waived.
On December 2, 2009, San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary mentioned that Brooks would be used increasingly during pass rushing situations. In week 14, Brooks recorded single-game career-highs of 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against the Arizona Cardinals.

Brooks recorded career highs in both tackles (50) and sacks (7) during the 2011 Regular Season. He led the 49ers into the postseason where they would lose to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship.

On February 28, 2012, Brooks signed a six-year contract extension worth $44.5 million, with $17.5 million guaranteed. During the 2012 season, Brooks had 35 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, an interception, 6.5 sacks, and 6 passes defended in 16 games started. He again led the 49ers into the postseason and this time, Super Bowl XLVII but the team lost the game to the Baltimore Ravens 31-34.

On November 20, 2013, Brooks was fined $15,750 by the NFL for a roughing passer penalty in which Brooks struck the neck of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, the same quarterback he scored his first touchdown off of. This fine was later overturned.

On December 12, 2015, during a game with the Cleveland Browns, Brooks was removed from the game due to excessive aggression and blatant personal fouls against the other players.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]