Brooks attended C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, which he helped lead to two VHSL state championships during his three-year tenure. Brooks battled injuries throughout his high school career, but he had a very productive year in 2001—he had 207 tackles, including 34 for loss, and he also rushed for 848 yards and 10 touchdowns 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 quarterback 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 interceptions, 11 quarterback pressures and 10 tackles-for-loss. Brooks earned Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his performance against the Maryland Terrapins. Following his sophomore campaign, Brooks underwent knee surgery. Brooks missed the first three games of his junior year while rehabbing his knee and was unable to play in three more contests due to various injuries. He finished the year with 27 tackles, including one sack, plus four passes defensed and five quarterback pressures in only six games. Brooks was dismissed from the Cavalier football team following the 2005 season due to off-the-field issues.
Professional career
Cincinnati Bengals
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. As a rookie, he played in 11 contests, 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 the final roster cuts.
San Francisco 49ers
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 receiverChris Hannon, but re-signed Brooks on December 2 after Hannon was waived. On December 2, 2009, San Francisco 49ers head coachMike 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 and sacks during the 2011 Regular Season. He led the 49ers into the postseason where they lost 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 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 31–34. On November 20, 2013, Brooks was fined $15,750 by the NFL for a controversial roughing the passer penalty in which Brooks struck the neck of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, the same quarterback off whom he scored his first touchdown. This fine was later overturned. On December 13, 2015, during a game with the Cleveland Browns, Brooks was disqualified from the game due to excessive aggression and blatant personal fouls against the other players. Brooks was released by the 49ers on August 25, 2017.
Green Bay Packers
On September 3, 2017, Brooks signed a one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers. Brooks was suspended six weeks by the NFL on September 14, 2018. He was reinstated from suspension on October 22, 2018.
