12/5/02

Catching up with … Ahmad Brooks

	Ahmad Brooks

Former Longhorns DB Ahmad Brooks, who was a honorable mention All-Big 12 selection at free safety last year, is in his first season in the National Football League. In just six months, Brooks has gone from an undrafted free agent to a starting cornerback for the Buffalo Bills. On Nov. 3, the Abilene native started the first game of his NFL career against the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. On Oct. 20, he was moved from the practice squad to the active roster and has registered seven tackles in the four games since being promoted. A two-year starter and four-year letterwinner who played cornerback and safety during his career, Brooks saw action in 51 games and started 27 contests. He recorded 182 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions, 27 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his four years in Austin. As a senior, Brooks racked up a team-high 88 tackles, including a career-high 22 stops in the Big 12 Championship game against Colorado (most at UT since 1992). He also led the Longhorns with 16 pass breakups in 1999. Earlier this week, the 2001 team captain talked about his rookie season in the NFL, his time at Texas and why the UT coaching staff has been so successful the last five years.

Can you give us an update of what's been going on with your NFL career for the first few months of your rookie season?
" It's been a real blast. If I had to sum it up, it's been a dream come true. Coming out here after always watching a lot of these guys on TV on Sundays and on Monday Night Football and now to be an actual part of it and having little kids around the country watching me is quite an experience. As far as the fans go, I was definitely spoiled playing at Texas, but it's been very exciting and I came to a team where we have some great fans."

You started out on the practice squad and worked your way onto the active roster, which led to your first career start a few weeks ago. Tell us about how things have progressed since you came into training camp as an undrafted free agent.
" I've always been a firm believer in destiny. I always thought and envisioned myself as an NFL player and people who knew me knew that's what I wanted to do. I always took pride in my work ethic, whether it was in the classroom, on the field or off the field. I've always put a lot of emphasis on that in my life to be better at that. That is something that I can control and I made the decision at an early age that I would control that part of my life. For me being on the practice squad and going against Drew Bledsoe, Peerless Price and Eric Moulds and going against our explosive offense has made the transition a lot easier. I think that's why my coaches have had so much confidence in me because when you can go against the No. 1 quarterback in the NFL and the second and third-best wide receivers ever day and make plays, it tells them something and gives me a great deal of confidence to play on Sundays. It was a long process for me and I got a little restless at times just because the type of person I am. I wanted to be on the roster and a part of the team so I could play on Sundays. I stayed patient with a great deal of help from people down there in Austin, people that I'm close with. They kept me focused on what was important to me, and for me, that was making the active roster."

	Former Longhorns DB Ahmad Brooks, an undrafted free agent, has seen action in four games and started one at cornerback for the Buffalo Bills in his rookie season.

What was it like when you found out from your defensive coordinator (former UT All-American DB Jerry Gray) that you were going to start against the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots on Nov. 3?
" It gave me a lot of confidence in my game. Jerry Gray, who was my role model while I was at Texas, pointed me out and told me that they wanted to put me on Troy Brown. What could I say to that? When that's said to you, there are no words for that. The next part was to make it happen on the field. That was a big deal because I've watched this guy in the Super Bowl and he's a great, smart receiver. He's not a fast guy, but he plays like a veteran. Playing against him was amazing. I didn't want it to be my last start, and quite honestly, I didn't reflect until after the game that I had actually just had my first start in the NFL. You want to make it happen and I didn't have time to think about 'well, I'm about to start my first game.' Instead, I had to think about they are putting me on Troy Brown and I better do something fast, so that's kind of how I looked at it and went from there. I must say it was quite exhilarating and was all that I expected."

What have been some of the challenges in moving over from college football into the NFL?
" Obviously, the speed of the game stands out more, along with the mental aspect. Anytime the game picks up physically, you have to start thinking faster mentally. So for myself, it helped me going against great wide receivers every day at Texas and going against a great offense and having Coach Akina was a great addition for me. He came in and emphasized the mental aspect of the game. Playing safety also helped me because it prepared me more to think in the NFL. In the professional ranks, there is a lot more pre-snap analysis, things you have to think about before the play even starts. That helped me a tremendous amount being under a great defensive back coach like Coach Akina, who helped prepare me for that. Going against some great wide receivers every day at Texas and not only that, but also being a part of great defense at Texas, I can't imagine another situation that would have prepared me better more for the NFL."

Has the transition to the NFL been a little bit easier having a guy that you played with the last four years, Mike Williams, who also one of your good friends?
" There is no doubt about it. Mike and I were able to get closer before the season started. It's been very nice for me to come up here with a roommate. Seeing his face on a daily basis, if we get to talk or not, I know that there is somebody here who knows me and knows what type of person I want to be and what type of person I am. He challenges me to do those things. It's hard for me to get away from my past and to get away from my future with somebody like him being around."

How are the football fans in Buffalo?
" They are crazy. When I first got here, some of the players told me that this town was the closest thing to having a college atmosphere in the NFL. It reminds me a lot of Texas. You find people who drive in two or three days early to camp out at the stadium. These people are out here at every game — rain, snow or sleet, it doesn't matter. I have been very fortunate that I have the support of both the Texas and Bills fans."

Looking back at your four-year career at Texas, what are some of the memories you took with you?
" Everything was great. From being in the locker room to the camaraderie we had as a football team, I don't think that will ever be matched at any level with any other organization, team or people that I'm with. We were a family at Texas and that made it much more special because when you share special moments with special people, it makes it even more special. As far as on the field, I can remember Ricky Williams parading up and down the field. Then my first game being active and playing against him was a special moment in itself. The fact that he was the big dog on campus and now I'm out on the same field with him. Upsetting Nebraska my freshman year is also a memory. Beating A&M last year is a big one for me too. Playing in both Big 12 Championships, whether we won or lost, were some great memories that I have and just being able to participate and make an impact in those games is very special to me. My most memorable moment might have been last year during the Holiday Bowl. It was my last game and we put ourselves as a team in a position to finish in the Top five for the first time in a long time. That is something that I take a lot of pride in. It doesn't have to say it on my ring or on my letter jacket, but I know that I was a part of that team that helped get the ball rolling."

What do you miss the most from your days at Texas?
" There are a combination of things. I would have to say the people, whether it was my teammates, coaches, the fans, my classmates or peers. I really miss the people of Texas. It's one thing to wake up every morning and feel comfortable with your surroundings and know that you can go around and people know who you are, not in a way to draw attention to yourself, but because they know that you are from Abilene, Texas. That's probably what I miss the most."

Have you had the chance to watch Texas play this year?
" I have. I can say that every game that has been televised, I've seen. If they let me get it on cable, I watch it. It's a little different though because I'm watching it as a fan and I catch myself cheering and analyzing the games. It's been great watching these guys knowing what kind of people they are. They also are my friends."

Do you talk to any players on this year's team?
" Yes I do. Obviously, I talk to Lee Jackson, who was my former roommate and Derrick Dockery as well. I talk to those guys on a weekly basis. I also keep in touch with my former DBs — Rod (Babers), Nathan (Vasher), Dakarai (Pearson) and Philip (Geiggar). I make a point to call and check up on them and make sure they are taking care of business. I talk to Coach Akina on about a monthly basis too."

What advice do you give your former teammates who still are playing for the Longhorns?
" If I had one phase to convey to them, it would be to live your dream, and most importantly, don't let anyone else live your dream for you or tell you what your dream should be. I had the dream of becoming a professional athlete when I was a little boy. Even though the odds were against me, I knew what was inside of me and have managed to reach that dream. Live your dream and don't let anyone take it from you."

Can you talk about the UT coaching staff and why they have been so successful with the student-athletes?
" Numbers always speak for themselves and the UT staff has been known to bring in talent and release All-Americans and first-rounders in the NFL Draft. Their knowledge of the game and willingness to adapt to a player's style of play has been the key to their success. They make sure that every personality is included and that is hard to do, especially when the guys come from all different backgrounds. That's why Coach Brown and his staff will continue to be successful."

Can you tell us how important Coach Reese and Coach Akina were during your career?
" I have never met a man like Coach Reese who has so much experience and can still relate to a young guy like myself. He did a great job of always keeping us informed and making sure we understood the defense. He was always available if we had questions or concerns. His style of defense is aggressive and that's how it is at the next level. It has made the transition to the professional level that much easier to adapt to. On the other hand, Coach Akina has been a father figure to me. The thing that stood out to me the most about him was how important his family was to him, which made it easier for me to trust him. His knowledge of the game is the best that I have ever been around. He is a great coach, and more importantly, a great person."

What would you like to tell the Texas fans back home?
" A simple and sincere thank you. I hope that I represent Texas and the fans well in everything that I do. They have supported me the last four years and had an input on the type of man that I am now, from the people that I met in the community to the staff members. They have made the transition to Buffalo easier and I want to thank them for that."